civiliter

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [kiːˈwiː.lɪ.tɛr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [t͡ʃiˈviː.li.ter]^[1]

Forms

cīvīliter (comparative cīvīlius, superlative cīvīlissimē)^[1]

Etymology

It is from cīvīlis “of citizens, civil” with the adverb suffix -ter, from cīvis “citizen”.^[2][1] De Vaan traces ⟨cīvis⟩ to Proto-Italic ⟨*keiwi-⟩ “society”, from Proto-Indo-European ⟨*ḱei-wo-⟩ “friendly, intimate”.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cicero, “as between citizens”.^[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant as between citizens, in civil life, and in a manner suited to citizens, both in Cicero; in Ovid it meant unpretentiously, like an ordinary person.^[2] In Ulpian it meant according to civil law.^[2]

British Medieval Latin used it for with civil authority, in the manner of a citizen, sociably, civilly, and in a seemly way.^[5]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it.^[2][4]
• 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of modest behaviour.^[2][4]
• before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of civil law.^[2][4]

Meanings

Adverb

1. As between citizens.^[2]
2. As befits a citizen; civilly.^[2]
3. Unpretentiously.^[2]
4. According to civil law.^[2]

Related words

• cīvicus
• cīvīle
• cīvīlis
• cīvīlitās
• cīvis
• English civil

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press