civilization
civilisation, n
1 [U] becoming or making sb civilized 开化; 教化
The civilization of mankind has taken thousands of years. 人类经数千年才文明开化.
2
(a) [U] (esp advanced) state of human social development (尤指高级的)文明, 文明阶段.
(b) [C] culture and way of life of a people, nation or period regarded as a stage in the development of organized society (一民族、 国家或时期的)文化和生活方式
the civilizations of ancient Egypt and Babylon 古埃及和巴比伦文化.
3 [U] civilized conditions or society 文明的环境; 文明社会; 文明世界
live far from civilization, ie far from a large town or city 在远离文明世界的地方生活(远离大城市)
(joc 谑) It´s good to get back to civilization after living in a tent for two weeks! 在帐篷里过了两个星期後, 又回到文明社会可真舒服!