'Civil action' definitions:

Definition of 'civil action'

From: WordNet
noun
Legal action to protect a private civil right or to compel a civil remedy (as distinguished from criminal prosecution)

Definition of 'Civil action'

From: GCIDE
  • Civil \Civ"il\, a. [L. civilis, fr. civis citizen: cf. F. civil. See City.]
  • 1. Pertaining to a city or state, or to a citizen in his relations to his fellow citizens or to the state; within the city or state. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Subject to government; reduced to order; civilized; not barbarous; -- said of the community. [1913 Webster]
  • England was very rude and barbarous; for it is but even the other day since England grew civil. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Performing the duties of a citizen; obedient to government; -- said of an individual. [1913 Webster]
  • Civil men come nearer the saints of God than others; they come within a step or two of heaven. --Preston [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Having the manners of one dwelling in a city, as opposed to those of savages or rustics; polite; courteous; complaisant; affable. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: "A civil man now is one observant of slight external courtesies in the mutual intercourse between man and man; a civil man once was one who fulfilled all the duties and obligations flowing from his position as a 'civis' and his relations to the other members of that 'civitas.'" --Trench [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Pertaining to civic life and affairs, in distinction from military, ecclesiastical, or official state. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Relating to rights and remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings. [1913 Webster]
  • Civil action, an action to enforce the rights or redress the wrongs of an individual, not involving a criminal proceeding.
  • Civil architecture, the architecture which is employed in constructing buildings for the purposes of civil life, in distinction from military and naval architecture, as private houses, palaces, churches, etc.
  • Civil death. (Law.) See under Death.
  • Civil engineering. See under Engineering.
  • Civil law. See under Law.
  • Civil list. See under List.
  • Civil remedy (Law), that given to a person injured, by action, as opposed to a criminal prosecution.
  • Civil service, all service rendered to and paid for by the state or nation other than that pertaining to naval or military affairs.
  • Civil service reform, the substitution of business principles and methods for the spoils system in the conduct of the civil service, esp. in the matter of appointments to office.
  • Civil state, the whole body of the laity or citizens not included under the military, maritime, and ecclesiastical states.
  • Civil suit. Same as Civil action.
  • Civil war. See under War.
  • Civil year. See under Year. [1913 Webster]