| / English Dictionary |
CIVILLY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
In a civil manner
Example:
he treats his former wife civilly
Classified under:
Antonym:
uncivilly (in an uncivil manner)
Pertainym:
civil (not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others)
Context examples:
I was going to call for the police, but she, to my surprise, spoke quite civilly to the fellow.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Late at night they arrived at an inn; and as it was bad travelling in the dark, and the duck seemed much tired, and waddled about a good deal from one side to the other, they made up their minds to fix their quarters there: but the landlord at first was unwilling, and said his house was full, thinking they might not be very respectable company: however, they spoke civilly to him, and gave him the egg which Partlet had laid by the way, and said they would give him the duck, who was in the habit of laying one every day: so at last he let them come in, and they bespoke a handsome supper, and spent the evening very jollily.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
The sorrel nag offered me a root, which he held (after their manner, as we shall describe in its proper place) between his hoof and pastern; I took it in my hand, and, having smelt it, returned it to him again as civilly as I could.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
Her ladyship received them civilly, but it was plain that their company was by no means so acceptable as when she could get nobody else; and she was, in fact, almost engrossed by her nephews, speaking to them, especially to Darcy, much more than to any other person in the room.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The visitors took their leave; and Charles, having civilly seen them off, and then made a face at them, and abused them for coming, began with—Well, mother, I have done something for you that you will like.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
She was very civilly answered by Lady Bertram, but Edmund said nothing.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
“I can allow for his wishing Catherine away, when he recollected this engagement,” said Sarah, “but why not do it civilly?”
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
You might treat him civilly, at least.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
She highly approved his forbearance, and they had leisure for a full discussion of it, and for all the commendation which they civilly bestowed on each other, as Wickham and another officer walked back with them to Longbourn, and during the walk he particularly attended to her.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
But hardly had she so spoken, when she found her brother was civilly offering a seat in his carriage, if the weather were Mr. Elton's only objection, and Mr. Elton actually accepting the offer with much prompt satisfaction.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
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