civility

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. English equivalent civil + -ity.

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.”

   “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. An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy.

   “Mr Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth […]”

3. The state or fact of being civilized; civilization.

   “Monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin.”

4. 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.”