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   Ci·vil·i·ty

   /səˈvilədē/

   

   noun

   • 1. formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech: "I hope we can treat each other with civility and respect" Similar courtesycourteousnesspolitenessgood mannersmannerlinessgentlemanlinesschivalrygallantrygraciousnessconsiderationrespectgentilityurbanitycordialitygenialitypleasantnessaffabilitypolitessehumorous:couthrare:comityOpposite discourtesyrudeness
   • ▪ polite remarks used in formal conversation: "she was exchanging civilities with his mother" Similar polite remarkpolitenesscourtesyformality

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French civilite, from Latin civilitas, from civilis ‘relating to citizens’ (see civil). In early use the term denoted the state of being a citizen and hence good citizenship or orderly behavior. The sense ‘politeness’ arose in the mid 16th century.

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • C

     3

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • I

     1

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • Y

     4

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