English

Noun

incivility ‎(countable and uncountable, plural incivilities)

1. (uncountable) The quality or state of being uncivil; want of courtesy; rudeness of manner; impoliteness.
2. (countable) Any act of rudeness or ill-breeding.
3. (uncountable) Want of civilization; a state of rudeness or barbarism.
   • 1781, [Mostyn John Armstrong], History and Antiquities of the County of Norfolk. Volume IX. Containing the Hundreds of Smithdon, Taverham, Tunstead, Walsham, and Wayland, volume IX, Norwich: Printed by J. Crouse, for M. Booth, bookseller, OCLC 520624543, page 51:

     BEAT on, proud billows; Boreas blow; / Swell, curled waves, high as Jove's roof; / Your incivility doth ſhow, / That innocence is tempeſt proof; / Though ſurly Nereus frown, my thoughts are calm; / Then ſtrike, Affliction, for thy wounds are balm. [Attributed to Roger L'Estrange (1616–1704).]

Related terms

• incivil

See also

• impoliteness
• uncourteousness
• unmannerliness
• disrespect
• rudeness
• discourtesy

References

• incivility in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• incivility in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913