Civilise: meaning, definitions and examples

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civilise

 

[ ˈsɪv.ə.laɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

cultural improvement

To civilise means to bring a person or a society out of a state of barbarism or ignorance to a more advanced and organized form of culture. It often involves education, development of moral sense, and the establishment of social order. The term can also imply the introduction of laws, art, and other aspects of 'civilized' life.

Synonyms

cultivate, educate, enlighten, refine

Examples of usage

  • Efforts to civilise the indigenous population took many years.
  • The charity aims to civilise remote communities through education.
  • Many believe that exposure to art and literature can help to civilise individuals.

Translations

Translations of the word "civilise" in other languages:

🇵🇹 civilizar

🇮🇳 सभ्य बनाना

🇩🇪 zivilisieren

🇮🇩 peradaban

🇺🇦 цивілізувати

🇵🇱 cywilizować

🇯🇵 文明化する

🇫🇷 civiliser

🇪🇸 civilizar

🇹🇷 medenileştirmek

🇰🇷 문명화하다

🇸🇦 حضارة

🇨🇿 civilizovat

🇸🇰 civilizovať

🇨🇳 文明化

🇸🇮 civilizirati

🇮🇸 siðmennta

🇰🇿 цивилизациялау

🇬🇪 ცივილიზება

🇦🇿 mədəniləşdirmək

🇲🇽 civilizar

Word origin

The word 'civilise' comes from the French 'civiliser', which is derived from the Latin 'civilis', meaning 'civil' or 'of citizens'. The Latin root 'civis' refers to a citizen, emphasizing the importance of society and social order. The transition of the term into English occurred in the early 19th century during a period when European societies were focused on the advancement of culture and civilization in contrast to other societies they deemed 'barbaric'. Over time, 'civilise' has taken on connotations that relate not just to the spread of culture, but also to the ethical responsibilities that come with it. The concept has been both embraced and criticized in different historical contexts, particularly debates about colonialism and the imposition of cultural values.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,104, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.