civic

Where does the word "civic" come from? It comes from Latin civis, passing through Latin before entering English (1540s).

Civic’s story begins in Latin: civis meant “citizen.” The root of 'city', 'civil' and 'civilization'. Within Latin, it grew into civicus by ancient. Of a citizen, from civis. It reached English by 1540s as civic. Settled as the English word for something relating to a city or its citizens. Today, civic means relating to a city, town, or its citizens and their responsibilities.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient civis "citizen", the root of 'city', 'civil' and 'civilization'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient civicus "of a citizen", of a citizen, from civis.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1540s civic "relating to a city, town, or its citizens", settled as the English word for something relating to a city or its citizens.