Civil action

Civil action
Civil Civ"il, a. [L. civilis, fr. civis citizen: cf. F. civil. See {City}.] 1. Pertaining to a city or state, or to a citizen in his relations to his fellow citizens or to the state; within the city or state. [1913 Webster]

2. Subject to government; reduced to order; civilized; not barbarous; -- said of the community. [1913 Webster]

England was very rude and barbarous; for it is but even the other day since England grew civil. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

3. Performing the duties of a citizen; obedient to government; -- said of an individual. [1913 Webster]

Civil men come nearer the saints of God than others; they come within a step or two of heaven. --Preston [1913 Webster]

4. Having the manners of one dwelling in a city, as opposed to those of savages or rustics; polite; courteous; complaisant; affable. [1913 Webster]

Note: ``A civil man now is one observant of slight external courtesies in the mutual intercourse between man and man; a civil man once was one who fulfilled all the duties and obligations flowing from his position as a 'civis' and his relations to the other members of that 'civitas.''' --Trench [1913 Webster]

5. Pertaining to civic life and affairs, in distinction from military, ecclesiastical, or official state. [1913 Webster]

6. Relating to rights and remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings. [1913 Webster]

{Civil action}, an action to enforce the rights or redress the wrongs of an individual, not involving a criminal proceeding.

{Civil architecture}, the architecture which is employed in constructing buildings for the purposes of civil life, in distinction from military and naval architecture, as private houses, palaces, churches, etc.

{Civil death}. (Law.) See under {Death}.

{Civil engineering}. See under {Engineering}.

{Civil law}. See under {Law}.

{Civil list}. See under {List}.

{Civil remedy} (Law), that given to a person injured, by action, as opposed to a criminal prosecution.

{Civil service}, all service rendered to and paid for by the state or nation other than that pertaining to naval or military affairs.

{Civil service reform}, the substitution of business principles and methods for the spoils system in the conduct of the civil service, esp. in the matter of appointments to office.

{Civil state}, the whole body of the laity or citizens not included under the military, maritime, and ecclesiastical states.

{Civil suit}. Same as {Civil action}.

{Civil war}. See under {War}.

{Civil year}. See under {Year}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • civil action — n. A lawsuit brought by a private citizen to protect a private or civil right or to seek a civil remedy; a noncriminal action. The Essential Law Dictionary. Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney Blackwell. 2008. civil… …   Law dictionary

  • civil action — Action brought to enforce, redress, or protect private rights. In general, all types of actions other than criminal proceedings. Gilliken v. Gilliken, 248 N.C. 710, 104 S.E.2d 861, 863. The term includes all actions, both those formerly known as… …   Black's law dictionary

  • civil action — Action brought to enforce, redress, or protect private rights. In general, all types of actions other than criminal proceedings. Gilliken v. Gilliken, 248 N.C. 710, 104 S.E.2d 861, 863. The term includes all actions, both those formerly known as… …   Black's law dictionary

  • civil action — n. (legal) to bring a civil action * * * (legal) to bring a civil action …   Combinatory dictionary

  • Civil Action No. 08-5424 — Civil Action No. 08 5424is a writ of habeas corpus filed on behalf of seventeen Uyghur captives in Guantanamo.cite web url=http://www.scotusblog.com/wp/wp content/uploads/2008/10/ca stay on uighurs 10 8 08.pdf title=Civil Action No. 08 5424 Filed …   Wikipedia

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  • Civil Action No. 05-cv-1592 — Civil Action No. 05 1592is a writ of habeas corpus filed on behalf of Guantanamo captive Hassan Bin Attash.cite web url=http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district courts/district of columbia/dcdce/1:2008mc00442/131990/152/0.pdf… …   Wikipedia

  • Civil Action No. 02-cv-0299 — is a habeas corpus petition submitted on behalf of several Guantanamo captives.Petitions incorporated in 02 cv 0299On July 26 2004 US District Court Judge Colleen Kollar Kotelly incorporated several other habeas petitions with 02 cv 0299: Al Odah …   Wikipedia

  • civil action — civil lawsuit, lawsuit which is brought by a citizen (as opposed to a criminal suit which is brought by the government) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Civil Action No. 02-cv-299 — #redirect Civil Action No. 02 cv 0299 …   Wikipedia

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