semicivilized

American  

[sem-ee-siv-uh-lahyzd, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈsɪv əˌlaɪzd, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

1. half or partly civilized. civilized.

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Other Word Forms

• semicivilization noun

Etymology

Origin of semicivilized

First recorded in 1830–40; semi- + civilized

Example Sentences

The explanation for this was that in the semicivilized medieval times, the knife was placed on the left because most people are right-handed, and this made it more difficult for the diner to stab someone with his or her knife.

From Washington Post

Martin’s bland musings come out in surfer-dude-sloppy speech punctuated by endless “likes” and “you knows” and “I means” that grate on even a semicivilized ear.

From New York Times

In 2000, he famously referred to cowbell-clanging Kings fans as “semicivilized” and “redneck in some form or fashion.”

From New York Times

He called Sacramento fans “semicivilized.”

From New York Times

"You know Nerado mentioned several times the 'semicivilized fishes of the greater deeps'?" he reminded her.

From Project Gutenberg