civilization (n.)

  1. a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations); the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization

    [ Syn: civilisation ]

  2. the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization

    [ Syn: civilisation ]

  3. a particular society at a particular time and place; early Mayan civilization

    [ Syn: culture , civilisation ]

  4. the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste; a man of intellectual refinement; he is remembered for his generosity and civilization

    [ Syn: refinement , civilisation ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
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