Definition of citizen
Etymology
Anglo-French, from Old French citezein (spelling alterated by influence of denizen), from Old French citeain, from cite, in medieval usage a cathedral town, but origininally meaning any settlement, regardless of size, from earlier citet, itself from Latin civitas "citizenship, community of citizens", from civis "townsman, citizen" from a Proto-Indo-European base *kei- "to lie, homestead."
Pronunciation
Noun
citizen (plural citizens)
- A person that is a legally recognized as a member of a state, with associated rights and obligations.
When the rebellion broke out, the United States promptly evacuated its citizens from the area.
- (dated) A member of a state that is not a monarchy; used as antonym to subject.
- A person that is a legally recognized resident of a city or town.
- A resident of any particular place to which the subject feels to belong.
Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau - a book written of the former Canadian prime minister by John English, 2007.
- A civilian, as opposed to a soldier, police officer etc.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Derived terms
- citizeness
- citizenhood
- citizenish
- citizenly
- citizenry
- citizenship
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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