civiliser

to civilize

verb see-vee-lee-ZAY Rare

Usage Note

Civiliser means to bring a society to a state of civilization, though the word now carries colonial-era connotations and is used critically in historical contexts. The reflexive se civiliser means 'to become more refined'. The related noun civilisation and adjective civilisé are far more common in everyday use.

Examples

"Les conquistadors prétendaient civiliser les peuples autochtones."

Natural Translation

The conquistadors claimed to civilize the indigenous peoples.

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