civil time

civil time local time based on universal time . Civil time may be formally defined as mean solar time plus 12 hr; the civil day begins at midnight, while the mean solar day begins at noon. Civil time is occasionally adjusted by one-second increments to ensure that the difference between a uniform timescale defined by atomic clocks does not differ from the earth's rotational time by more than 0.9 seconds. Coordinated universal time (UTC), an atomic time, is the basis for civil time. Civil time is usually not used, since it depends on the observer's longitude; instead, standard time , which is the same throughout a given time zone, is generally adopted.

civil time Time as defined for everyday purposes by civil governments. It depends on the longitude of the country or region (see zone time), but ultimately it is derived from Coordinated Universal Time.

civ·il / ˈsivəl/ • adj. 1. of or relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or ecclesiastical matters. ∎  (of disorder or conflict) occurring between citizens of the same country. ∎  Law relating to private relations between members of a community; noncriminal. ∎ Law of or relating to aspects the civil (or code) law derived from European systems. 2. courteous and polite. 3. (of time measurement or a point in time) fixed by custom or law rather than being natural or astronomical: civil twilight starts at sunset. DERIVATIVES: civ·il·ly adv.