Nearby Words
əˌlaɪzverb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine: Rome civilized the barbarians.
Also, especially British, civ·i·lise.
Related forms
civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
civ·i·liz·er, noun
de·civ·i·lize, verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
non·civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
EXPANDo·ver·civ·i·lize, verb, -lized, -liz·ing.
un·civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
un·civ·i·lize, verb (used with object), -lized, -liz·ing.
COLLAPSESynonyms
educate, teach, instruct, polish, sophisticate.
educate, teach, instruct, polish, sophisticate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To civilize
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Civilize
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is subtilize. Does it mean:
| to flee; abscond: |
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
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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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
civilize
c.1600, from Fr. civiliser, lit. "to make citified," from O.Fr. civil, from L. civilis (see civil).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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