adv. [f. CIVIL a. + -LY2.] In a civil manner.
† 1. In a way characterizing, becoming or befitting citizenship. Obs.
1554. Act 1 & 2 Phi. & M., c. 7 § 1. The Children in the said Cities … were civilly brought up and instructed.
1577. Harrison, England, II. iii. (1877), I. 83. Rules of discipline, vnder which they liue most ciuilie in their houses.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., I. § 15 (R.). That a multitude should … concurre in the doing of one thing (for this is ciuilly to liue).
2. With reference to civil matters: thus often used in contrast to ‘ecclesiastically,’ ‘politically,’ ‘naturally,’ etc.
1577. Vautrouillier, Luther on Ep. Gal., 134. He that will vnderstand thys sentence ciuilly, may doe it after thys sort.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1358/1. Expressing … the subiects allegiance ciuilie.
1832. Austin, Jurispr. (1879), II. liii. 892. The predecessor in the case of heirship must have died that is … must have died physically, or … civilly.
1853. Robertson, Serm., Ser. III. xiii. 163. He lays down the principle … in two ways ecclesiastically and civilly.
3. In accordance with the civil law or with procedure relating to private rights and claims.
1651. W. G., trans. Cowel’s Inst., 210. Whether he will prosecute the party civilly or criminally.
1726. Ayliffe, Parerg., 25.
1864. Sat. Rev., 27 Aug., 263/2. Clearly he would be civilly liable, but ought he to be also criminally liable?
1871. Markby, Elem. Law, § 190 (1874). Whether their consequences be civilly or criminally pursued.
† 4. In accordance with civil morality; ‘morally’ as opposed to ‘spiritually’; see CIVIL 15 b. Obs.
1592. trans. Junius on Rev. iii. 9. That is fall down and worship either thee civily, or Christ religiously.
1608. Bp. Hall, Recoll. Treat. (1614), 610. If the ciuilly righteous shall not be saued, where shall the notorious sinner appeare?
† 5. In a civilized manner. Obs.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. (1594), 102. That they might live civilly amongst … savage nations.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot. (1736), Introd. 5. The Chinese [are] civilly content with their Companies in Effigy, which barbarous Nations exact unto Reality.
6. In a well-bred manner; politely, courteously; without any rudeness.
1552. Huloet, Ciuillye, urbanatim.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 17. To answere stranger ciuilie, but shew him not thy secresie.
1662. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 250. They were so civilly languaged.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 268, ¶ 2. I very civilly requested him to remove his Hand.
1835. W. Irving, Tour Prairies, 25. The master of the house received us civilly, but could offer us no accommodation.
† 7. Soberly, decently; not gaudily. Obs.
a. 1626. Bacon, New Atl., 5. The Chambers were … furnished civilly.
