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civilization definition

civi·li·za·tion (siv′ə lə zā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the process of civilizing or becoming civilized
  2. the condition of being civilized; social organization of a high order, marked by the development and use of a written language and by advances in the arts and sciences, government, etc.
  3. the total culture of a particular people, nation, period, etc.
  4. the countries and peoples considered to have reached a high stage of social and cultural development
  5. intellectual and cultural refinement
  6. the amenities, esp. creature comforts of civilized life

Etymology: ML civilizatio

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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