Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a civil manner.
  • In a manner relating to private rights: opposed to criminally.
  • Not naturally, but by law: as, a man civilly dead.
  • Politely; considerately; gently; with due decorum; courteously.
  • Without gaudy colors or finery; soberly.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb in a civil manner

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a civil manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

civil +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • Why anyone would demonize Gays as being singularly incapable of behaving civilly is in itself a crime.

    Think Progress » Donohue: ‘There’s a connection between homosexuality and sexual abuse of minors.’ 2010

  • President's messages by a word civilly compromising between _long_ and

    The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell James Russell Lowell 1855

  • Thus it happened that when the prisoner had passed through the narrowing gate of the drawbridge tower, and the starers turned to gape and blocked the way, the following horsemen contented themselves with calling civilly for passage, and an increasing gap opened between them and their charge.

    The Leper of Saint Giles Peters, Ellis, 1913- 1981

  • Thus it happened that when the prisoner had passed through the narrowing gate of the drawbridge tower, and the starers turned to gape and blocked the way, the following horsemen contented themselves with calling civilly for passage, and an increasing gap opened between them and their charge.

    The Leper of Saint Giles Peters, Ellis, 1913- 1981

  • Each party needs to put all their ideas on the table and "civilly" discussion each option's good and bad points and what will work best for ALL Americans.

    Two senators say House health-care proposal is dead 2009

  • But had he taken other avenues such as civilly or perhaps gotten the police to go with him, I think this would have been a much different outcome.

    CNN Transcript Oct 5, 2008 2008

  • While I don't agree with what LindaDanvers said, I'm tired of the idea that the teabaggers need to be treated "civilly".

    reddit.com: what's new online! 2010

  • "If you refer," said Meldon, "to my intention of calling civilly on Sir

    The Simpkins Plot George A. Birmingham 1907

  • "civilly" and that he had been questioned on security matters by his abductors.

    ANC Daily News Briefing 1995

  • I spent 6 years at BigLaw representing a serial rapist who had completed his entire prison term and was being civilly committed indefinitely by the State.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » More on Liz Cheney 2010

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