civilizing
|civ/il/iz/ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˈsɪv(ə)laɪz/
(civilize)
advance society
Etymology
'civilize' originates from French, specifically the word 'civiliser', where Latin root 'civilis' (from 'civis') meant 'citizen'.
'civilize' changed from Old French word 'civiliser' (via Middle English 'civilisen') and eventually became the modern English word 'civilize'.
Initially, it meant 'to make a citizen or to adopt civic manners', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to bring a society or person to a more refined, cultured, or socially advanced condition'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle of 'civilize'; performing the action of making a person or society more cultured, refined, or socially advanced
They believed they were civilizing the remote communities through education and infrastructure.
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Adjective 1
having a civilizing effect; tending to make people or manners more cultured or socially polished
The exchange program had a civilizing influence on many students.
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Last updated: 2025/09/13 04:56