different between civilian vs civvy

English

Etymology

From Middle English cyvylien, from Old French civilien.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s??v?lj?n/

Noun

civilian (plural civilians)

1. A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces.

2. (informal) A person who does not belong to a particular group or engage in a particular activity.

3. One skilled in civil law.
   • 1724, Jonathan Swift, Drapier's Letters, 4

     Ancient civilians and writers upon government.

4. A student of civil law at a university or college.
   • 1788, Richard Graves, Recollection of Some Particulars in the Life of the Late William Shenstone

     although he kept his name in the college books, and changed his commoner gown to that of a civilian, yet he had now, I believe, no thoughts of proceeding to any degree; and seldom resided in college any more

Translations

Adjective

civilian (not comparable)

1. Not related to the military, police or other governmental professions.

Translations

English

Etymology

Shortening of civilian, +? -y.

Pronunciation

• enPR: s?vi
• IPA^(key): /s?vi/

Noun

civvy (plural civvies)

1. (informal) A civilian; someone who is not in the military.

   Synonym: civvie

2. (prison slang) A manufactured cigarette, as opposed to a rollup.

   Synonyms: straight, tailor-made

   • 2012, John Hoskison, INSIDE (One Man's Experience of Prison)

     I reached across and offered him the packet of civvies.

Derived terms

• civvy street