Civilization, n.
Etymology: [Cf. F. civilisation.]
1. The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized; national culture; refinement. Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners, and with civilization, have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles -- . . . the spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion. Burke
2. (Law)
Rendering a criminal process civil. [Obs.]
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for civilization; he lists it under refinement.
Where he writes about it:
Civilization applies to nations, denoting the sum of those civil, social, economic, and political attainments by which a community is removed from barbarism; a people may be civilized while still far from refinement or culture, but civilization is susceptible of various degrees and of continued progress. — from refinement