civilian

English Online Dictionary. What means civilian‎? What does civilian mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English cyvylien, from Old French civilien. Equivalent to civil +‎ -ian.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sɪˈvɪljən/

Noun

civilian (plural civilians)

1. A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces.
   • 1858, Prince George, letter to Sir Colin Campbell:

     An army never can be commanded or controlled by civilians.

2. (informal) A person who does not belong to a particular group or engage in a particular activity, an outsider.

3. One skilled in civil law.
4. A student of civil law at a university or college.
5. An employee of the civil service.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Rudyard Kipling to this entry?)

Translations

Adjective

civilian (not comparable)

1. Not related to the military, police or other governmental professions.

Translations

Derived terms