civilian

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   associated with civil life or performed by persons who are not active members of the military

   civilian clothing

2. 2
   noun

   A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces.

   An army never can be commanded or controlled by civilians.

3. 3
   noun

   A person who does not belong to a particular group or engage in a particular activity, an outsider.

   I have this vision one day that I'll walk amongst you a regular civilian.

4. 4
   noun

   One skilled in civil law.

   Ancient civilians and writers upon government.

5. 5
   noun

   A student of civil law at a university or college.

   although he kept his name in the college books, and changed his commoner gown to that of a civilian, yet he had now, I believe, no thoughts of proceeding to any degree; and seldom resided in college any more

6. 6
   adj

   Not related to the military, police or other governmental professions.

   The three detainees were actually army defectors wearing civilian clothing.

7. 7
   noun

   a nonmilitary citizen

8. 8
   noun

   A person not affiliated with a gang.

Etymology

From Middle English cyvylien, from Old French civilien. Equivalent to civil + -ian.