"1 well-organized socially with a very developed culture and way of life: the civilized world * rising crime in our so-called civilized societies * civilized peoples
2 having laws and customs that are fair and morally acceptable: No civilized country should allow such terrible injustices.
3 having or showing polite and reasonable behaviour: We couldn’t even have a civilized conversation any more.
4 typical of a comfortable and pleasant way of life: Breakfast on the terrace—how civilized! * Let’s go somewhere civilized and have a meal. opp uncivilized"
Why do they spell all examples with "z", if they don't think that should be the first choice of spelling? odeon is dishonest even when it comes to something as simple as spelling, if he thinks he can ridicule someone.
They use one for the sake of clarity, often the editor's preference (quite a few quote Fowler but quickly add that both are acceptable). To use more than one would be redundant to anyone (but you) since they point out the alternative--and correct--spellings right from the start. They avoid stating an actual preference, however, since that is usually left to the individual user and context.
See, if you are a writer and want to write for a magazine, or perhaps write a book for a publisher, their respective style guides will decide which spelling to use. Sometimes they'll point at whatever is accepted by OED or M-W, but more often they'll follow a best practice that depends on where and for whom they publish. In the UK there is a strong preference for "ise" in daily papers and magazines with a UK readership, but "ize" can be perfectly acceptable when writing for a larger publisher or a magazine, especially ones also sold across the Atlantic.
You really don't know much about this, do you?
