civilize Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb teach or refine to be discriminative in taste or judgment
    educate; civilise; school; train; cultivate.
    • Cultivate your musical taste
    • Train your tastebuds
    • She is well schooled in poetry
  2. verb raise from a barbaric to a civilized state
    civilise.
    • The wild child found wandering in the forest was gradually civilized

WordNet

Civ"i*lize transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. civilizer, fr.L. civilis civil. See Civil.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Civilized ; present participle & verbal noun Civilizing
Definitions
  1. To reclaim from a savage state; to instruct in the rules and customs of civilization; to educate; to refine.
    Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose Her land to civilize, as to subdue. Dryden
  2. To admit as suitable to a civilized state. Obs. or R. "Civilizing adultery." Milton. Syn. -- To polish; refine; humanize.

Webster 1913