c. 1600, "to bring out of barbarism," from French civiliser, verb from Old French civil (adj.), from Latin civilis "relating to a citizen, relating to public life, befitting a citizen; popular, affable, courteous" (see civil). Meaning "become civilized" is from 1868. Related: Civilized; civilizing.
雙語例句
1. We must civilize away the boy's bad habit.
我們必須教育這孩子使其改掉惡習(xí).
來自《簡(jiǎn)明英漢詞典》
2. "I think it would civilize people a bit more if they had decent conditions." — "I think you've hit the nail on the head."