incivility

[in-suh-vil-i-tee]

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noun, plural in·ci·vil·i·ties for 2.

the quality or condition of being uncivil; discourteous behavior or treatment.

an uncivil act.

Origin of incivility

From the Late Latin word incīvīlitās, dating back to 1575–85. See in-³, civility

Related formsin·civ·il

[in-siv-uhl] /ɪnˈsɪv əl/, adjective

Synonyms for incivility

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1. rudeness, boorishness, uncouthness. 2. discourtesy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for incivility

disrespect, coarseness, rudeness, impoliteness

Examples from the Web for incivility

Contemporary Examples of incivility

Disagreement over this is fierce, sometimes degenerating into ludicrous levels of incivility.
Pew Survey Raises More Questions About American Jewry
Brent E. Sasley
October 3, 2013

Historical Examples of incivility

Kirkwood's smile robbed the retort of any flavor of incivility.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
In other words, if it was not illegal—there was no doubt of its legality—it was an incivility.
The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII)
Various
Wherever we went, and whatever the hour, we met with no incivility.
A Woman who went to Alaska
May Kellogg Sullivan
"And you seem to have a talent for incivility," retorts she, rather nettled.
Molly Bawn
Margaret Wolfe Hamilton
There is scarcely one of my respectable clients but complains of your incivility.
Lavengro
George Borrow

British Dictionary definitions for incivility

incivility

noun plural -ties

lack of civility or courtesy; rudeness

an impolite or uncivil act or remark

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

Word Origin and History for incivility

1580s, "want of civilized behavior, rudeness," from French incivilité (early 15c.), from Late Latin incivilitatem (nominative incivilitas), from incivilis "not civil," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + civilis "relating to a citizen, relating to public life, befitting a citizen; popular, affable, courteous" (see civil). Meaning "an act of rudeness" is from 1650s. Incivil "not conducive to common good" is from mid-15c.