Reading Theme:
Civilian Meaning, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：ordinary citizen (civilian)
civilian
/sɪˈvɪliən/
n., adj.
A person who is not a member of the military or the police.
ordinary citizen
➕
/ˈɔːrdəneri ˈsɪtɪzən/
n., adj.
A person who is not serving in the armed forces or police, living a normal life in society.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
civil (citizen) + -ian (person); meaning non-military person.
💡 Mnemonic
CIVILian: a CIVIL person, not a soldier.
📖 Example
During the war, it was crucial to protect civilians and provide them with safe shelter.
During the war, it was crucial to protect civilians and provide them with safe shelter.
🔗 Collocations
civilian population – the group of ordinary people in a country
civilian casualties – deaths or injuries of non-military persons
civilian life – everyday life outside the military
🔄 Synonyms
non-combatant (n.) – a person who is not involved in fighting during a war
citizen (n.) – a legally recognized subject of a state
private citizen (n.) – an ordinary person not holding public office or military rank
🚫 Antonyms
soldier (n.) – a person who serves in an army
combatant (n.) – a person engaged in fighting during a war
military personnel (n.) – members of the armed forces
🌱 Derivatives
civilianize (v.) – to convert from military to civilian use
civilianization (n.) – the process of making something civilian
📖 Cultural Story
From Latin 'civilis' (relating to citizens), contrasting with 'militaris'. The distinction between civilians and soldiers became key in early modern warfare.
Meaning 2：non-military (adj.) (civilian)
civilian
/sɪˈvɪliən/
n., adj.
Relating to or designed for ordinary people, not for the military.
non-military (adj.)
➕
/ˌnɑːn ˈmɪlətɛri/
n., adj.
Describing something that is intended for use by ordinary people rather than for military purposes.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The drone he bought was a civilian model, meant for photography, and couldn't fly near military bases.
The drone he bought was a civilian model, meant for photography, and couldn't fly near military bases.
🔗 Collocations
civilian aircraft – an airplane designed for commercial or private use
civilian clothing – ordinary clothes not part of a military uniform
civilian technology – technology developed for consumer market
🔄 Synonyms
non-military (adj.) – not relating to the armed forces
commercial (adj.) – designed for business or consumer use
civil (adj.) – relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military
Wordbook
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