civility

Noun

civility (countable and uncountable, plural civilities)

1. Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy.
   • This is an exact Inventory of what we found about the Body of the Man-Mountain, who uſed us with great Civility, and due Reſpect to your Majeſty's Commiſſion.1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Emperor of Lilliput, Attended by Several of the Nobility, Come to See the Author in His Confinement. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World....
   • December 1749 Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, letter to his son
     The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be.
2. (in plural) An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy.
   • Mr Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth […]1748, [Samuel Richardson], chapter III, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume I, London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC
3. (archaic) The state or fact of being civilized; civilization.
   • Monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin.1612, John Davies, Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirely subdued
4. (obsolete) A civil office; a civil capacity.
   • For what an enormity is this in a chriſtian realme to ſerue in a ciuility, hauinge the profyt of a Prouoſtſhip and a Deanrye, and a Perſonage? But I wil tel you what is lyke to come of it. It wil bring the clergy ſhortly into a very ſlauery.1549 March 25 (Gregorian calendar), Hughe Latymer [i.e., Hugh Latimer], Augustine Bernher, compiler, “[27 Sermons Preached by the Ryght Reuerende Father in God and Constant Matir of Iesus Christe...