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.
Civil liberties are distinct from civil rights, which refer to our general rights to be free from unequal treatment before the law. Civil liberties are derived from both the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and have been refined and specified through the federal court system and the U.S. Supreme Court.