civilize

Verb

WordNet 3.0

teach or refine to be discriminative in taste or judgment“Cultivate your musical taste”“Train your tastebuds”“She is well schooled in poetry”Synonyms: educate school train cultivate civilise
raise from a barbaric to a civilized state“The wild child found wandering in the forest was gradually civilized”Synonyms: civilise

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]