CIVIL COMMOTION

civil commotion.A public uprising by a large number of people who, acting together, cause harm to people or property. • A civil commotion usu. involves many more people than a riot. — Sometimes shortened to commotion. Cf. RIOT. [Cases: Riot  1. C.J.S. Riot; Insurrection §§ 2–10.] [Blacks Law 8th]