Civilian

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /sɪˈvɪljən/

Definitions

1. A person who is not a member of the military or armed forces
2. A person who engages in non-combat roles and is typically not involved in military service or operations
3. An individual belonging to the general population who does not participate in military activities or duties

Etymology: The word "civilian" was borrowed into Middle English as "cyvylien" from Old French "civilien," and it is built from "civil" plus the suffix "-ian." That suffix turns a noun or adjective into a term for a person connected with something, so a civilian is, in effect, a person belonging to the civil sphere rather than the military one. The Latin root behind "civil" is "civis," meaning citizen, so the word's core idea is simply the ordinary member of a community. The sense of "not military" is what sets the word apart from its relatives. "Civil" in English has long carried meanings about citizens, courtesy, and public order, and the contrast with soldiers grew from that root. Once a community had its own non-military members, the word had a ready opposite in the armed forces, and that contrast is what gives "civilian" its modern meaning.

Synonyms: non-combatant

Antonyms: military