citizen
UK: ˈsɪt.ɪ.zən | US: ˈsɪt̬.ə.zən
n. a legally recognized member of a state or country, entitled to its rights and protections
n. an inhabitant of a particular city or town
citizen = cit<city> + izen<noun suffix>
- cit<city>: Derived from Old French cité (modern cité/city), from Latin civitas (community, citizenship).
- izen<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns, often denoting status or origin (e.g., denizen).
Etymology Origin:
The word citizen traces back to Latin civitas (community), evolving through Old French citeain (inhabitant of a city). The suffix -izen (later -izen/-ian) was added to denote belonging. Over time, the term shifted from strictly urban inhabitants to broader legal membership in a nation, reflecting societal organization beyond city walls.
Every citizen has the right to vote in democratic elections.
She became a naturalized citizen after living in the country for ten years.
The mayor urged citizens to recycle more to protect the environment.
Ancient Athens granted citizenship only to free male residents.
As a global citizen, he advocated for human rights worldwide.