Search Result for "civilize": 
Wordnet 3.0

VERB (2)

1. teach or refine to be discriminative in taste or judgment;
- Example: "Cultivate your musical taste"
- Example: "Train your tastebuds"
- Example: "She is well schooled in poetry"
[syn: educate, school, train, cultivate, civilize, civilise]

2. raise from a barbaric to a civilized state;
- Example: "The wild child found wandering in the forest was gradually civilized"
[syn: civilize, civilise]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Civilize \Civ"i*lize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Civilized; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Civilizing.] [Cf. F. civilizer, fr.L. civilis civil.
   See Civil.]
   1. To reclaim from a savage state; to instruct in the rules
      and customs of civilization; to educate; to refine.
      [1913 Webster]

            Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose
            Her land to civilize, as to subdue.   --Dryden
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To admit as suitable to a civilized state. [Obs. or R.]
      "Civilizing adultery." --Milton.

   Syn: To polish; refine; humanize.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

civilize
    v 1: teach or refine to be discriminative in taste or judgment;
         "Cultivate your musical taste"; "Train your tastebuds";
         "She is well schooled in poetry" [syn: educate, school,
         train, cultivate, civilize, civilise]
    2: raise from a barbaric to a civilized state; "The wild child
       found wandering in the forest was gradually civilized" [syn:
       civilize, civilise]