civil defense
9
3.7
- noun
- /ˈsɪvəl dɪˈfɛns/
- US
:
defensa civil
- The local civil defense organization is training residents on how to respond during emergencies.
- civil defense unit
- civil defense drills
- civil defense force
They would say, well, next week there will be an exercise in which civil defence preparations will be checked.
- They would say, well, next week there will be an exercise in which civil defence preparations will be checked.
Examples
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Each worker at an industrial enterprise, agricultural cooperative, or government bureaucracy was drilled in civil defense.
Academic text (1995) -
Modern civil defense began in the 1930s as a spontaneous attempt to organize civilian populations.
Academic text (2006) -
This is an official civil defense warning.
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The civil defense authorities will be here soon.
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This is an emergency civil defense alert.
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This is an official civil defense broadcast.
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Civil defense stations are being set up throughout Manhattan.
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Civil defense authorities have declared a state of emergency for all London areas within three miles of the River Thames.
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Although still called civil defense, the system now emphasizes preparation for dealing with environmental hazards, not warfare.
Academic text (1995) -
However, in the 2000s, the rising threat of international terrorism has led to a resurgence of civil defense in a new guise.
Academic text (2006)
How Strong
5
4.3
190
2.3
5
3.7
- US
10
3.8
553
5.8
- US
9
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is transparently built from 'civil' (relating to ordinary citizens) and 'defense' (protection), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to protection/organization for civilians in emergencies. The same compositional logic exists in many languages, making the meaning predictable without prior exposure.
Etymology
Civil defense comes from the idea of regular people being trained to protect their towns during war or emergencies, with civil meaning people who are not soldiers and defense meaning protection. That's why 'civil defense' today means the groups and training that help communities stay safe during war or disasters.