c.1225, from O.Fr.
cite, in medieval usage a cathedral town, but orig. meaning any settlement, regardless of size (distinction from
town is 14c., though in Eng. it always seems to have ranked above
borough), from earlier
citet, from L.
civitatem (nom.
civitas) orig. "citizenship, community of citizens," from
civis "townsman," from PIE base
*kei- "to lie, homestead." The L. word for "city" was
urbs, but a resident was
civis. Civitas seems to have replaced
urbs as Rome (the ultimate
urbs) lost its prestige.
City hall first recorded 1675;
city slicker first recorded 1924 (see
slick); both Amer.Eng.
Inner city first attested 1968.
[sit-ee] 
) Slang. a place, person, or situation having certain features or characteristics (used in combination): The party last night was Action City. That guy is dull city. 