Abstract
The article intends to trace the dictionarization and uses of "civilization" and related terms, identifying synonyms and antonyms which constituted their various meanings in the Portuguese language. The paper seeks to map the emergence and utilization of these words in Portuguese dictionaries (comparing with English, French and Spanish works), from mid-sixteenth century to the early nineteenth century. The main goal resides on reconstruct the semantic fields built by the dictionaries around the idea of civility / civilization (and their opposites) within the Portuguese Empire.
Keywords:
civilization; dictionaries; rustic; Portuguese Empire