civil a DC ~ Nfld (1905-) for sense 1; NID 6 c obs for sense 3.
   1 Of the weather, with no wind; still.
   1887 Telegram Christmas No 9 You know it looked civil enough this mornin', an' I'm sure 'twas as mild as October yesterday. 1895 J A Folklore viii, 37 A calm day is civil. 1905 DUNCAN 109 It was a mere 'puff on a civil evening—but a swift, wicked little puff, sweeping round Breakheart Head. 1924 ENGLAND 229 De sun's risin' troo a bank fer a fine day, me son... We may 'ave a civil spring, from now out. 1933 GREENLEAF xxii Please God, we'll have civil weather for ou-er toime. C 66-2 When there is a star behind the moon there will be wind. When there is a star in front of the moon there will be civil weather.
   2 Of the sea, calm, placid.
   1937 DEVINE 14 The water is civil now. 1968 KEATING 58 'It's a handsome day,' said a wrinkled old fisherman, 'but the water be too civil for the tuna, cruel civil. C 71-120 When the water in the harbour is very calm and still, elderly people say, 'How civil it is!'
   3 Of persons, orderly, restrained, quiet.
   T 264-66 They were civil and orderly; they kept order. P 74-67 If you don't be civil you'll go to bed! C 71-44 He was a civil man (quiet, mannerly fellow).

Go Back