civ·i·lize also Brit civ·i·lise 
/ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/ verb
civ·i·liz·es; civ·i·lized; civ·i·liz·ing /ˈsɪvəˌlaɪz/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to teach (a person or group of people) to behave in a way that you think is more polite and gentle
▪ Her parents hoped that boarding school might civilize her some. ▪ a teacher who had a civilizing influence on the students 2 : to make (something) more gentle, fair, reasonable, etc.
▪ He is credited with civilizing the treatment of people with mental illnesses. ▪ efforts to civilize the health-care system 3 : to cause (a group of people) to have a more highly organized and modern way of living
▪ They believed it was their duty to civilize the native people.
▪ Her parents hoped that boarding school might civilize her some. ▪ a teacher who had a civilizing influence on the students
▪ He is credited with civilizing the treatment of people with mental illnesses. ▪ efforts to civilize the health-care system
▪ They believed it was their duty to civilize the native people.
