- city
- early 13c., from O.Fr. cite, in medieval usage a cathedral town, but originally meaning any settlement, regardless of size (distinction from town is 14c., though in English it always seems to have ranked above borough), from earlier citet, from L. civitatem (nom. civitas) orig. "citizenship, community of citizens," from civis "townsman," from PIE base *kei- "to lie, homestead." The L. word for "city" was urbs, but a resident was civis. Civitas seems to have replaced urbs as Rome (the ultimate urbs) lost its prestige. City hall first recorded 1670s; city slicker first recorded 1924 (see slick); both Amer.Eng. Inner city first attested 1968.