Cĭv'il-īze, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. CIVILIZED; p. pr. & vb. n. CIVILIZING.] [Fr. civiliser, Sp. & Pg. civilizar, It. civilizzare, from Lat. civilis, civil, q. v.] 1. To reclaim from a savage state; to educate; to refine. Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose Her land to civilize as to subdue. Dryden. 2. To admit as suitable to a civilized state. [Obs. and rare.] “Civilizing adultery.” Milton.