Webster's English Dictionary

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civilization

civ.i.li.za.tion \.siv-*-l*-'za--sh*n\ n 1a: a relatively high level of 
   cultural and technological development; s pecif : the stage of cultural 
   development at which writing and the keeping of written records is attained 
   1b: the culture characteristic of a particular time or place  2: the 
   process of becoming civilized  3a: refinement of thought, manners, or taste 
    3b: a situation of urban comfort