civ·i·li·za·tion /ˌsɪvələˈzeʃən/
文明,教化
Civ·i·li·za·tion n.
1. The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized; national culture; refinement.
Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners, and with civilization, have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles -- . . . the spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion. --Burke
2. Law Rendering a criminal process civil. [Obs.]
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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 civilization
[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]