civilization

civilization
    n 1: a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g.,
         with complex legal and political and religious
         organizations); "the people slowly progressed from
         barbarism to civilization" [syn: {civilization},
         {civilisation}]
    2: the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced
       stage of development and organization [syn: {civilization},
       {civilisation}]
    3: a particular society at a particular time and place; "early
       Mayan civilization" [syn: {culture}, {civilization},
       {civilisation}]
    4: the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste;
       "a man of intellectual refinement"; "he is remembered for his
       generosity and civilization" [syn: {refinement},
       {civilization}, {civilisation}]
    

Civilization \Civ`i*li*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. civilisation.]
   1. The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized;
      national culture; refinement.
      [1913 Webster]

            Our manners, our civilization, and all the good
            things connected with manners, and with
            civilization, have, in this European world of ours,
            depended for ages upon two principles -- . . . the
            spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion.
                                                  --Burke
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Law) Rendering a criminal process civil. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]
    

29 Moby Thesaurus words for "civilization":
      acculturation, civility, complex, cultivation, cultural drift,
      culture, culture area, culture center, culture complex,
      culture conflict, culture contact, culture pattern, culture trait,
      customs, edification, education, enculturation, enlightenment,
      ethos, folkways, key trait, mores, polish, refinement,
      socialization, society, sophistication, trait, trait-complex