civilize
UK[ˈsɪv.əl.aɪz]US[ˈsɪv.ə.laɪz]
v
to educate a society so that its culture becomes more developed and its social organization more advanced.
v
to improve someone's behaviour, making them less rude or more pleasant.
Morpheme Breakdown
civil
ize
civil
relating to citizens
ize
to make
Etymology
the word 'civilize' originates from the french civiliser, which itself is built upon the latin civilis, meaning 'of or relating to a citizen'. the latin root stems from civis, meaning 'citizen'. the suffix -ize, entering english via latin and french from greek -izein, is a productive verb-forming element meaning 'to render or make'. therefore, the literal construction is 'to make citizen-like' or 'to bring into a state fit for citizens'. this etymology reflects the historical concept that advanced social organization, law, and refined manners were the defining characteristics of a city-dwelling (civis) populace, as opposed to a nomadic or barbaric one. over time, the meaning evolved from the specific context of roman citizenship to the broader, sometimes ethnocentric, idea of bringing a society to a perceived higher standard of cultural and social development.
Analysis
Structure: civil (relating to citizens) + ize (to make)
civil: from latin civilis, meaning 'relating to a citizen or the state'. in this word, it functions as the root carrying the core meaning of 'citizen' or 'organized society'.
ize: a verb-forming suffix of greek origin (via latin -izare and french -iser), meaning 'to make, to become, or to subject to an action'. it indicates the process of causing something to have the qualities of the root.
Examples
the missionaries aimed to civilize the indigenous tribes, introducing european customs and religion.
some argue that it is arrogant to think one culture has a duty to civilize another.
his years at boarding school were supposed to civilize his rough manners.