civilize

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civ·i·lize / ˈsivəˌlīz/ • v. [tr.] [usu. as adj.] (civilized) bring (a place or people) to a stage of social, cultural, and moral development considered to be more advanced: a civilized society. ∎  [as adj.] (civilized) polite and well-mannered: such an affront to civilized behavior will no longer be tolerated.DERIVATIVES: civ·i·liz·a·ble adj.civ·i·liz·er n.