Obs. ? nonce-wd. [f. CIVIL after commonwealth.] The commonwealth or state in its civil or secular capacity.
1547. Bp. Hooper, Answ. Bp. Winchester’s Bk., Wks. (Parker Soc.), 144. Euery man’s office and duty … whether it be towards God or man: and whether he be minister in the church, or in the civil-wealth.
