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civility

Noun
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Polite, respectful behavior and formal courtesy toward others; in poetry, it may contrast outward manners with concealed feeling or conflict.

Detailed Definition
In older literary usage, civility can suggest more than simple politeness: it implies social grace, restraint, and formal courtesy. Dickinson uses it in a personified, elevated way in the line quoted below, giving Death an unexpectedly courteous manner.
Example
Example in poetry:
“My labor and my leisure too, / For His Civility –” makes civility a formal courtesy; Her civility survives the sharpest meeting; The poem tests whether civility can conceal anger; A stranger’s small civility makes room on the train
Additional Notes
In the quoted line, "Civility" is used in a formal, slightly old-fashioned sense that may prompt readers to check its meaning.; Found in the poem, Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Emily Dickinson
Also Known As
courtesy politeness decorum respect
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