Hypertext Webster Gateway: "civilize"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Civilize \Civ"i*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Civilized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Civilizing}.] [Cf. F. civilizer, fr.L. civilis civil.
See {Civil}.]
1. To reclaim from a savage state; to instruct in the rules
and customs of civilization; to educate; to refine.
Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose Her
land to civilize, as to subdue. --Dryden
2. To admit as suitable to a civilized state. [Obs. or R.]
``Civilizing adultery.'' --Milton.
Syn: To polish; refine; humanize.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
civilize
v 1: train to be discriminative; as of taste or judgment;
"Cultivate your musical taste"; "Train your tastebuds";
"She is well schooled in poetry" [syn: {educate}, {school},
{train}, {cultivate}, {civilise}]
2: make a country technologically advanced; "Many countries in
Asia are now developing at a very fast pace"; "Viet Nam is
modernizing rapidly" [syn: {civilise}, {modernize}, {modernise},
{develop}]
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