Main Entry:

cir·cum·stance

Pronunciation:

\ˈsər-k^əm-ˌstan(t)s, -stən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstant-, circumstans, present participle of circumstare to stand around, from circum- + stare to stand — more at stand

Date:

13th century

1 a: a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an essential or inevitable concomitant <the weather is a circumstance to be taken into consideration> b: a subordinate or accessory fact or detail <cost is a minor circumstance in this case> c: a piece of evidence that indicates the probability or improbability of an event (as a crime) <the circumstance of the missing weapon told against him> <the circumstances suggest murder>2 a: the sum of essential and environmental factors (as of an event or situation) <constant and rapid change in economic circumstance — G. M. Trevelyan> b: state of affairs : eventuality <open rebellion was a rare circumstance> —often used in plural <a victim of circumstances> cplural : situation with regard to wealth <he was in easy circumstances> <rose from difficult circumstances>3: attendant formalities and ceremonial <pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war — Shakespeare>4: an event that constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of events) <considering each circumstance in turn>

synonyms see occurrence