civil tongue
A polite manner of speaking.
"[T]here would not have been the least offence had the youth only possessed a civil tongue."
civil
/ˈsɪv.əl/
adj 5name 1
Collocations
5(adj.)
VERBS
be | become
ADV
extremely, remarkably, very | perfectly, quite
PREP
to
Even though I was late, the receptionist remained civil to me throughout the appointment.
Definitions
adj
1
Having to do with people and government office as opposed to the military or religion.
She went into civil service because she wanted to help the people.
A third is wroth: ‘Is this an hour For private sorrow’s barren song, When more and more the people throng The chairs and thrones of civil power?’
2
Behaving in a reasonable or polite manner; avoiding displays of hostility.
It was very civil of him to stop the argument.
They despise each other, but they are always civil in public.
3
In a peaceful and well-ordered state.
Herein thou haſt done good ſeruice to thy country: VVere all inhumaine ſlaues ſo ſerued as he, England would be ciuill, and from all ſuch dealings free.
4
Relating to private relations among citizens, as opposed to criminal matters.
a civil case
5
Secular.
As if our Saviour had said, No man can enter into heaven except he be born again; so as he speaketh not only of notorious Sinners, as Adulterers, Drunkards, Swearers, & c. but of all who are in their natural condition, tho' they live never so unblameably, free from scandalous sins, if they be not born again, their civil Righteousness will do them little good, for they shall never see the Kingdom of God.
The word from which "evil" in Romans 13.4 is translated means "generally opposed to civil goodness or virtue, in a commonwealth, and not to spiritual good, or religion, in the church.
name
1
A surname.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
keep a civil tongue in one's head
To maintain a polite manner of speaking.
"I've had enough of that kind of talk. I don't intend to submit to your impudence. When you speak to me keep a civil tongue in your head."
Example Bank
601
She went into civil service because she wanted to help the people.
Wiktionary02
A third is wroth: ‘Is this an hour For private sorrow’s barren song, When more and more the people throng The chairs and thrones of civil power?’
Wiktionary03
It was very civil of him to stop the argument.
Wiktionary04
The novel is centered on the Civil War.
Tatoeba · #4652005
We cannot rule out the possibility that civil war will break out in that country.
Tatoeba · #4791906
This book gives a good picture of life in America during the Civil War.
Tatoeba · #56879Usage Notes
i Register
In some senses, civil is marked as archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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