civil liberty

noun Usually, civil liberties.
1.
the freedom of a citizen to exercise customary rights, as of speech or assembly, without unwarranted or arbitrary interference by the government.
2.
such a right as guaranteed by the laws of a country, as in the U.S. by the Bill of Rights.
Origin:
1635–45

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To civil liberty
Collins
World English Dictionary
civil liberty
 
—n
the right of an individual to certain freedoms of speech and action

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Civil liberty is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Example sentences
Civil liberty groups have complained that anti-terrorism legislation was
  wrongly used against peaceful demonstrators.
It is a symbol of our resolve to maintain our civil liberty and our way of life
  that others seek to destroy out of hatred.
It has been the subject of debate ever since, as civil liberty advocates have
  fought to rein in some of the powers it granted.
The question divided the journalistic community, which relies heavily upon
  civil liberty provisions.
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