The word "citizen" is spelled /ˈsɪtɪzn/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a "t" and a short "i" in the second syllable. The final syllable is pronounced with a "z" sound and a short "ən" sound. The spelling of the word "citizen" is based on its Latin root word, "civis," meaning "member of a community." The spelling of this word reflects the common English pronunciation of its Latin origin.
A citizen is an individual who is recognized by a particular nation or state as having legal and political rights, privileges, and responsibilities within that jurisdiction. Generally, citizenship is acquired either by birth within a country's territory or by being born to citizens of that country, or through a formal process called naturalization for immigrants. Citizens are often entitled to certain fundamental rights, such as the right to vote, freedom of speech, freedom of movement, and protection under the legal system.
Citizenship comes with obligations and responsibilities, including the duty to obey the law, pay taxes, serve on juries, and potentially defend one's country in times of war. Furthermore, citizens are expected to actively participate in the civic and political life of their nation, engaging in activities such as voting, volunteering, and advocating for causes they believe in.
Citizenship plays a crucial role in defining an individual's sense of national identity and belonging. It grants individuals a sense of membership in a community, providing a sense of security and a stake in the social, economic, and political affairs of a country. Additionally, it enables citizens to access social services and benefits provided by the government, whilst also entrusting them with the power to shape the future of their nation through their involvement in the democratic processes.
The native of a city; one who enjoys the rights and privileges pert. to a city.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "citizen" originated from the Old French term "citain" or "citéain" which meant "inhabitant of a city". It derived from the Latin word "civis" meaning "townsman" or "citizen". "Civis" in turn comes from the Latin word "civitas" which translates to "city" or "state". Ultimately, the Latin root can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European language with the term "kei-", meaning "to lie" or "settle". The evolution of the word "citizen" reflects its historical association with residing in a city or town and being a member of a community.