civilist

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UK/ˈsɪvɪlɪst/

noun

One who studies or works with the civil law.

OriginMedieval Latin civilista ← Latin cīvīlis →
Scrabble 13
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Meanings

nouncivilist (plural civilists)

plural civilists

  1. obsoleteOne who studies or works with the civil law.
  2. obsoletelifestyleOne who rejects the moral authority of Christ but who nevertheless adheres to a moral code in line with “civil righteousness” and “good citizenship”.
  3. obsoleteA statesman, politician, or student of the political sciences.

Origin

  1. Latincīvīlis“civil (law)”
  2. Medieval Latincivilista
  3. Englishcivilist

From Medieval Latin civilista, from Latin cīvīlis (“civil (law)”), on the pattern of Medieval Latin canonista (“canonist”), from Latin canōn (“rule”).

More words from Medieval Latin, Latin

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

civilist. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/civilist

MLA

“civilist.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/civilist. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “civilist,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/civilist.

Source: civilist on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.