lip. 1  Anatomy a. Either of two fleshy structures that surround the opening of the mouth in humans and other mammals. b. In humans, the smooth brownish to reddish border of the lip. 2  A structure or part that encircles or bounds an orifice, as: a. Anatomy A labium. b. The margin of flesh around a wound. c.
Civil liberties concern basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed -- either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, or interpreted through the years by courts and lawmakers. Civil liberties include: 1  Freedom of speech. 2  The right to privacy. 3  The right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home. 4  The right to a fair court trial.
Both words appear in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The distinction between the two has always been blurred, and today the concepts are often used interchangeably. However, they do refer to different kinds of guaranteed protections. Civil liberties are protections against government actions. For example, the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees citizens the right to practice whatever religion they please. Government, then, cannot interfere in an individual's freedom of worship. Amendment I gives the individual liberty from the actions of the government.