English Lexicon

Law-Abiding-Citizen

/lɔː əˈbaɪ.dɪŋ ˈsɪt.ɪ.zən/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A person who adheres to the laws and regulations of their country or community.

    "As a law-abiding citizen, she always pays her taxes on time."
  2. 2

    An individual who respects and follows the legal framework established by the governing authorities.

    "The community is made up of law-abiding citizens who contribute to a safe environment."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'law-abiding' combines 'law', from Old English 'lagu', meaning 'that which is laid down', and 'abiding', from Old English 'abidan', meaning 'to wait for, to endure'. 'Citizen' comes from the Latin 'civitas', meaning 'city', and evolved through Old French 'citein'. The phrase reflects a societal expectation of compliance with legal norms.

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