civilian

Meanings

Noun

• A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces.
• A person who does not belong to a particular group or engage in a particular activity.
• One skilled in civil law.
• A student of civil law at a university or college.

Adjective

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

Origin

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