CIVILIZE

civilize, civilise

(verb) raise from a barbaric to a civilized state; “The wild child found wandering in the forest was gradually civilized”

educate, school, train, cultivate, civilize, civilise

(verb) teach or refine to be discriminative in taste or judgment; “Cultivate your musical taste”; “Train your tastebuds”; “She is well schooled in poetry”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

civilize (third-person singular simple present civilizes, present participle civilizing, simple past and past participle civilized)

Alternative spelling of civilise

Source: Wiktionary

Civ"i*lize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Civilized; p. pr. & vb. n. Civilizing.] Etym: [Cf. F. civilizer, fr.L. civilis civil. See Civil.]

1. To reclaim from a savage state; to instruct in the rules and customs of civilization; to educate; to refine. Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose Her land to civilize, as to subdue. Dryden

2. To admit as suitable to a civilized state. [Obs. or R.] "Civilizing adultery." Milton.

Syn.

– To polish; refine; humanize.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition