The word "civility" is spelled with the letter "c" followed by the letters "i," "v," "i," "l," and "i," and ends with the suffix "-ty." The "c" in "civility" represents a voiceless velar stop sound, /k/. The "i" in "civility" is pronounced as a short vowel sound, /ɪ/. The letters "v" and "l" in the middle of the word produce voiced labiodental fricative sounds, /v/ and /l/ respectively. The final syllable "-ty" is pronounced with a voiceless alveolar stop sound, /t/, and the vowel sound /i/.
Civility is a term that refers to the expression of politeness, respect, and courteous behavior in social interactions. It embodies the principles of decency, good manners, and consideration towards others. Civility focuses on fostering positive and harmonious relationships between individuals and groups by encouraging mutual respect and empathy.
In practice, civility involves adhering to accepted social norms and conventions when communicating and engaging with others. It entails treating others with kindness, patience, and sensitivity, regardless of disagreements or differences in opinions. Civility recognizes the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of individuals and aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
This concept extends beyond mere politeness and superficial gestures and emphasizes genuine interpersonal connections. It encompasses active listening, clear communication, and constructive dialogue, promoting understanding and cooperative problem-solving. Civility also encourages self-awareness, as individuals are urged to reflect on their own behavior and ensure that it aligns with ethical and considerate conduct.
By practicing civility, conflicts and misunderstandings can be minimized, promoting healthy and productive relationships in both personal and professional spheres. It plays a vital role in promoting social cohesion, fostering mutual understanding and empathy, and building trust and cooperation among individuals and communities. Civility is an essential aspect of civilized societies, contributing to individual well-being and collective harmony.
Politeness; courtesy; obliging behaviour in the treatment of others.
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 "civility" comes from the Latin term "civilitas", which is derived from the Latin word "civis", meaning "citizen". In ancient Rome, a "civis" was a person who was considered a member of the city-state and had certain rights and responsibilities. This notion of being a citizen and participating in society eventually evolved into the concept of "civilitas", which referred to the behavior and conduct expected from individuals within a community. Over time, "civilitas" further transformed into "civilité" in Old French, and eventually became the modern English word "civility", which continues to carry the meaning of polite and courteous behavior in society.