civilly, adv.
(ˈsɪvɪlɪ)
[f. civil a. + -ly2.]
In a civil manner.
† 1. In a way characterizing, becoming, or befitting citizenship. Obs.
| 1554 Act 1 & 2 Phi. & M. c. 7 §1 The Children in the said Cities..were civilly brought up and instructed. 1577 Harrison England ii. iii. (1877) i. 83 Rules of discipline, vnder which they liue most ciuilie in their houses. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. i. §15 (R.) That a multitude should..concurre in the doing of one thing (for this is ciuilly to liue). |
2. With reference to civil matters: thus often used in contrast to ‘ecclesiastically,’ ‘politically,’ ‘naturally,’ etc.
| 1577 T. Vautrollier Luther on Ep. Gal. 134 He that will vnderstand thys sentence ciuilly, may doe it after thys sort. 1587 Fleming Cont. Holinshed III. 358/1 Expressing..the subiects allegiance ciuilie. 1832 Austin Jurispr. (1879) II. liii. 892 The predecessor in the case of heirship must have died: that is..must have died physically, or..civilly. 1853 Robertson Serm. Ser. iii. xiii. 163 He lays down the principle..in two ways ecclesiastically and civilly. |
3. In accordance with the civil law or with procedure relating to private rights and claims.
| 1651 W. G. tr. Cowel's Inst. 210 Whether he will prosecute the party civilly or criminally. 1726 Ayliffe Parerg. 25. 1864 Sat. Rev. 27 Aug. 263/2 Clearly he would be civilly liable, but ought he to be also criminally liable? 1871 W. Markby Elem. Law §190 (1874) Whether their consequences be civilly or criminally pursued. |
† 4. In accordance with civil morality; ‘morally’ as opposed to ‘spiritually’; see civil 15 b. Obs.
| 1592 tr. Junius on Rev. iii 9 That is fall down and worship either thee civily, or Christ religiously. 1608 Bp. Hall Recoll. Treat. (1614) 610 If the civilly righteous shall not be saved, where shall the notorious sinner appeare? |
† 5. In a civilized manner. Obs.
| 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. i. (1594) 102 That they might live civilly amongst..savage nations. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. (1736) Introd. 5 The Chinese [are] civilly content with their Companies in Effigy, which barbarous Nations exact unto Reality. |
6. In a well-bred manner; politely, courteously; without any rudeness.
| 1552 Huloet, Ciuillye, urbanatim. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 17 Answere stranger ciuilie, but shew him not thy secresie. 1662 Fuller Worthies (1840) III. 250 They were so civilly languaged. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 268 ¶2, I very civilly requested him to remove his Hand. 1835 W. Irving Tour Prairies 25 The master of the house received us civilly, but could offer us no accommodation. |
† 7. Soberly, decently; not gaudily. Obs.
| a 1626 Bacon New Atl. 5 The Chambers were..furnished civilly. |