civil officer
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A person who exercises authority over civilian affairs. This term refers to an official who holds a position of public trust and administrative responsibility within a government's civil structure, as opposed to a military or religious office.
Usage
A "civil officer" is a formal term for a government official whose duties pertain to the administration of civil law, public services, or civic governance. It emphasizes the civilian, non-military nature of the authority.
Examples
- The civil officer was responsible for issuing marriage licenses and recording property deeds.
- During the ceremony, a civil officer administered the oath of citizenship to the new immigrants.
- The mayor, as the chief civil officer of the city, presided over the council meeting.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used in legal and historical contexts to distinguish civilian government roles from military commissions.
- It often implies a specific, legally defined office with prescribed duties, such as a notary public, clerk, or magistrate.
Variants and Related Words
- Civil servant: A broader term for a person employed in the public sector by a government department or agency.
- Public official: A general term for anyone holding a position of authority in a governmental body.
Synonyms
- Public official
- Government official
- Civil servant
- Magistrate (in specific contexts)
- Administrator
Antonyms
- Military officer
- Private citizen
Related Phrases
- To hold civil office: To occupy a position as a civil officer.
- After the election, she began to hold civil office as the county commissioner.
- Civil authority: The collective power or institutions of civilian government, often embodied by its officers.
- The police acted under the direction of the local civil authority.
Noun
- a person who exercises authority over civilian affairs