civitas

[ siv-i-tas; Latin kee-wi-tahs ]

/ ˈsɪv ɪˌtæs; Latin ˈki wɪˌtɑs /

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noun, plural civ·i·ta·tes

[siv-i-tey-teez; Latin kee-wi-tah-teys]. /ˌsɪv ɪˈteɪ tiz; Latin ˌki wɪˈtɑ teɪs/.

the body of citizens who constitute a state, especially a city-state, commonwealth, or the like.

citizenship, especially as imparting shared responsibility, a common purpose, and sense of community.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

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Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

Origin of civitas

From Latin cīvitās; literally, “commmunity of citizens, citizenship,” equivalent to cīvis “citizen, fellow citizen” + -tās -ty²

One answer resides in the belief, still ingrained in our civitas, that Americans have a shared sense of purpose and destiny.
The Fallout from WikiLeaks' Latest Exposure|Tunku Varadarajan|November 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Civitas opulenta, dives, fecunda, in qua nemo vivat otiosus.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
Augustine's Civitas Dei was the first attempt at a world history based on the idea of the religious vocation of mankind.
Elements of Folk Psychology|Wilhelm Wundt
Sed arma sumere non ante cuiquam moris, qum civitas suffecturum probaverit.
View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Henry Hallam

Vale civitas, valete castelli parvi; relicti estis propter aquam et non per vim inimicorum!'
The Burgomaster's Wife, Complete|Georg Ebers
Wolff's conception of the Law of Nations is influenced by his conception of the civitas gentium maxima.
International Law. A Treatise. Volume I (of 2)|Lassa Francis Oppenheim