civilian
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English cyvylien, from Old French civilien. Equivalent to civil + -ian.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
civilian (plural civilians)
- A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces.
- 1858, Prince George, letter to Sir Colin Campbell:
- An army never can be commanded or controlled by civilians.
- Three civilians were apprehended by the soldiers and taken away in a military vehicle.
- 1858, Prince George, letter to Sir Colin Campbell:
- (informal) A person who does not belong to a particular group or engage in a particular activity, an outsider.
- 2013, Eminem, “The Monster”, in The Marshall Mathers LP 2:
- I have this vision one day that I'll walk amongst you a regular civilian.
- The bathroom was for employees only, so civilians weren't allowed to use it.
- One skilled in civil law.
- 1724, Jonathan Swift, “Drapier's Letters”, in 4:
- Ancient civilians and writers upon government.
- A student of civil law at a university or college.
- 1788, Richard Graves, Recollection of Some Particulars in the Life of the Late William Shenstone:
- although he kept his name in the college books, and changed his commoner gown to that of a civilian, yet he had now, I believe, no thoughts of proceeding to any degree; and seldom resided in college any more
Translations edit
non-military person
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Adjective edit
civilian (not comparable)
- Not related to the military, police or other governmental professions.
- The three detainees were actually army defectors wearing civilian clothing.
- He worked as a civilian journalist for ten years before being employed by the public broadcaster.
Translations edit
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