51Թ

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circumstance

[ sur-kuhm-stansor, especially British, -stuhns ]

noun

  1. a condition, detail, part, or attribute, with respect to time, place, manner, agent, etc., that accompanies, determines, or modifies a fact or event; a modifying or influencing factor:

    Do not judge his behavior without considering every circumstance.

  2. Usually circumstances. the existing conditions or state of affairs surrounding and affecting an agent:

    Circumstances permitting, we sail on Monday.

  3. an unessential or secondary accompaniment of any fact or event; minor detail:

    The author dwells on circumstances rather than essentials.

  4. circumstances, the condition or state of a person with respect to income and material welfare:

    a family in reduced circumstances.

  5. an incident or occurrence:

    His arrival was a fortunate circumstance.

  6. detailed or circuitous narration; specification of particulars:

    The speaker expatiated with great circumstance upon his theme.

  7. Archaic. ceremonious accompaniment or display:

    pomp and circumstance.

    Synonyms: , ,



verb (used with object)

circumstanced, circumstancing.
  1. to place in particular circumstances or relations:

    The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.

  2. Obsolete.
    1. to furnish with details.
    2. to control or guide by circumstances.

circumstance

/ ˈɜːəəԲ /

noun

  1. usually plural a condition of time, place, etc, that accompanies or influences an event or condition
  2. an incident or occurrence, esp a chance one
  3. accessory information or detail
  4. formal display or ceremony (archaic except in the phrase pomp and circumstance )
  5. under no circumstances or in no circumstances
    in no case; never
  6. under the circumstances
    because of conditions; this being the case
  7. in bad circumstances
    (of a person) in a bad financial situation
  8. in good circumstances
    (of a person) in a good financial situation
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to place in a particular condition or situation
  2. obsolete.
    to give in detail
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of circumstance1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Latin circumstantia ( circumstant-, stem of ܳԲ, present participle of ܳ “to stand round”), equivalent to circum- circum- + - stand + -nt present participle suffix + -ia noun suffix; -ance
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of circumstance1

C13: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from ܳ to stand around, from circum- + to stand
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Idioms and Phrases

  1. under no circumstances, regardless of events or conditions; never:

    Under no circumstances should you see them again.

  2. under the circumstances, because of the conditions; as the case stands: Also in the circumstances.

    Under the circumstances, there is little hope for an early settlement.

More idioms and phrases containing circumstance

see extenuating circumstances ; under the circumstances .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"But those moments should pass. A diversified strategy that is thoughtfully adapting to changing circumstances can't prevent the punches, but it can soften the blows."

From

The IDF promised to investigate the circumstances after a surviving paramedic questioned its account.

From

"We are aware of misinformation circulating on social media, specifically X, regarding the circumstances of the incident and the ethnicities of those involved," a spokesperson said.

From

But "godly confidence," she continued, "has nothing to do with your external circumstance."

From

So, they are urging people not to panic in such circumstances or make knee-jerk decisions.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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