Dictionary Home »
Webster's New World College Dictionary » civilizable
civilizable
Variant of civilize
civilize
definition
civi·lize (siv′ə līz′)
transitive verb, intransitive verb civilized -·lized′, civilizing -·liz′·ing
- to bring or come out of a primitive or savage condition and into a state of civilization
- to improve in habits or manners; refine
Etymology: Fr civiliser < L civilis: see civil & -ize: lit. etym. sense, “to make citified”
Related Forms:
- civilizable civ′i·liz′·able adjective
- civilized civ′i·lized′ adjective
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comments
Improve this definition.
Browse dictionary definitions near civilizable
Share on Facebook