Incivility

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ɪnsɪˈvɪlɪti/

Definitions

1. The state characterized by a lack of respect or courtesy towards others can be evident in both actions and words
2. Behaviors or remarks that exhibit rudeness and disdain often reflect a broader disconnect in social etiquette
3. The quality of being disrespectful and impolite can manifest through various behaviors, indicating a departure from social norms of courtesy

Etymology: The most telling thing about "incivility" is that its core sense is political before it is social. Latin "civilis" meant "belonging to a citizen," so to be "civil" originally meant behaving as a proper member of a city-state, and "incivilis" described someone who fell short of that civic standard. Courtesy was the expected behaviour of a citizen, and rudeness was a failure of citizenship. The word came into English by way of Middle French "incivilité," which itself descended from the Late Latin "incivilitas." English adopted the term with the same meaning it had carried through that chain: a lack of the polite conduct that marks a well-behaved member of a community. The construction is transparent, built from the negating prefix "in-" attached to "civility," which in turn grew from the same Latin root meaning citizen.

Synonyms: rudeness, disrespect, impoliteness, uncivil behavior, insolence

Antonyms: courtesy, politeness, respect, civility, consideration