non-citizens
|non-cit-i-zens|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑnˈsɪtɪzənz/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnˈsɪtɪzənz/
(non-citizen)
not a citizen
Etymology
'non-citizen' is formed from the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non' meaning 'not') combined with 'citizen', which ultimately comes from Latin 'civis' meaning 'citizen' or 'member of a city/community'.
'citizen' evolved from Old French 'citeien' (and Anglo-Norman forms) into Middle English 'citezen' and then modern English 'citizen'; the negative prefix 'non-' was added in Modern English to create 'non-citizen'.
Originally 'citizen' meant an 'inhabitant of a city' and then broadened to 'member of a political community'; 'non-citizen' has consistently meant 'not a citizen', though legal and social nuances have developed over time.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
people who are not citizens of the country in which they are present; foreign nationals or aliens.
Several non-citizens attended the meeting and asked questions about residency permits.
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Noun 2
persons who do not possess the legal status of citizen in a particular state; this can include permanent residents, temporary residents, undocumented migrants, and stateless persons.
Many public services are limited for non-citizens compared with citizens under current law.
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Last updated: 2025/08/23 23:09