different between polity vs civility

English

Etymology

From Middle French politie, from Latin politia (circa. 1530s C.E.), from Ancient Greek ???????? (politeía, “polity, policy, the state”). Doublet of policy and police.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?p?.l?.t?/
• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /?p?.l?.ti/

Noun

polity (plural polities)

1. (politics) An organizational structure of the government of a state, church, etc.
2. (political science) A politically organized unit; a state.

   Different nations have different forms of polities, from provinces and states to territories and municipalities.

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• polity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• polity in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

See Wiktionary:Civility for a guide to conduct within Wiktionary

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin civilitas: compare French civilité. See civil.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s??v?l.?.ti/

Noun

civility (countable and uncountable, plural civilities)

1. Speech or behaviour that is fit for civil interactions; politeness, courtesy. [from 16th c.]
   • December 1749 Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, letter to his son

     The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be.

2. (chiefly in the plural) An individual act or expression of polite behaviour; a courtesy. [from 17th c.]
   • 1748, Samuel Richardson, Clarissa, I.3:

     Mr Lovelace received from every one those civilities which were due to his birth […].

3. (now archaic) The state or fact of being civilized; civilization. [from 16th c.]
   • 1612, John Davies, Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirely subdued

     Monarchies have risen from barbarism to civility, and fallen again to ruin.

4. (obsolete) A civil office; a civil capacity. [16th c.]
   • March 15 1549, Hugh Latimer, second sermon preached before King Edward VI

     To serve in a civility.

Translations