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Synonyms

civics

American  
[siv-iks] / ˈsɪv ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)
  1. the study or science of the privileges and obligations of citizens.


civics British  
/ ˈsɪvɪks /

noun

  1. the study of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship

  2. the study of government and its workings

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of civics

1880–85, see civic, -ics

Explanation

The study of citizenship is called civics. If your school offers a civics class, you can learn about the importance of things like voting and paying taxes. Student government can teach you about civics, and so can certain social studies lessons and classes that a country's new citizens sometimes take. Civics can teach you about the rights granted to citizens, as well as their responsibilities, such as serving on juries and engaging in the political process. The word civics was an American English invention, modeled on politics, from the Latin civicus, "of a citizen."

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