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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Civility \Ci*vil"i*ty\, noun; pl. {Civilities}. [L. civilitas: cf. F. civilit['e]. See {Civil}.]
1. The state of society in which the relations and duties of a citizen are recognized and obeyed; a state of civilization. [Obs.]
Monarchies have risen from barbarrism to civility, and fallen again to ruin. --Sir J. Davies.
The gradual depature of all deeper signification from the word civility has obliged the creation of another word -- civilization. --Trench.
2. A civil office, or a civil process [Obs.]
To serve in a civility. --Latimer.
3. Courtesy; politeness; kind attention; good breeding; a polite act or expression.
The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be. --Chesterfield.
The sweet civilities of life. --Dryden.
Syn: Urbanity; affability; complaisance.
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