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Where does the word "civil" come from? It comes from Latin civilis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "civil" come from? It comes from Latin civilis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Civil’s story begins in Latin: civilis meant “of citizens.” From 'civis', citizen. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as civil. Relating to citizens. It reached English by 1300s as civil. 'civil war' dates from the 1400s; 'civil rights' from the 1700s. Today, civil means relating to citizens; polite.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient civilis "of citizens", from 'civis', citizen.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval civil "civic", relating to citizens.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s civil "civic", 'civil war' dates from the 1400s; 'civil rights' from the 1700s.