CIVILITY

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of showing regard for others

Synonyms:

civility; politeness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("civility" is a kind of...):

action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "civility"):

courtesy (a courteous or respectful or considerate act)

deference; respect (a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard)

devoir (formal expression of respect)

Derivation:

civil (not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Formal or perfunctory politeness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("civility" is a kind of...):

courtesy; good manners (a courteous manner)

Attribute:

civil; polite (not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others)

rude; uncivil (lacking civility or good manners)

Antonym:

incivility (deliberate discourtesy)

Derivation:

civil (not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others)

Credits

Context examples:

They had received a wire from London, in answer to Lord Godalming's telegraphed request, asking us to show them any civility in their power.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It must have been this, I suppose, that stirred in my soul that tempest of impatience with which I listened to the civilities of my unhappy victim; I declare, at least, before God, no man morally sane could have been guilty of that crime upon so pitiful a provocation; and that I struck in no more reasonable spirit than that in which a sick child may break a plaything.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Mrs. Grant's shewing civility to Miss Price, to Lady Bertram's niece, could never want explanation.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

How are the civilities and compliments of every day to be related as they ought to be, unless noted down every evening in a journal?

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

The wish of distinguishing her, as far as civility permitted, was very evident, though it could not often proceed beyond a look.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Abundance of civilities passed on all sides.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three days to consult, returned an answer consisting of many civilities and excuses.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

He fairly outstripped himself in willingness and civility; he was all smiles to everyone.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Whoever suffered inconvenience, she must suffer none, but it occupied a little time to settle the point of civility between the other two.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

She answered him with cold civility.