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cir·cum·stance (sûr k m-st ns )n.1. A condition or fact attending an event and having some bearing on it; a determining or modifying factor. 2. A condition or fact that determines or must be considered in the determining of a course of action. 3. The sum of determining factors beyond willful control. Often used in the plural: a victim of circumstance; work that will begin on Monday if circumstances permit. 4. circumstances Financial status or means: "Prior came of a good family, much reduced in circumstances" (George Sherburn). 5. Detail accompanying or surrounding an event, as in a narrative or series of events. 6. Formal display; ceremony: the pomp and circumstance of a coronation. 7. A particular incident or occurrence: Your arrival was a fortunate circumstance. See Synonyms at occurrence. tr.v. cir·cum·stanced, cir·cum·stanc·ing, cir·cum·stanc·es To place in particular circumstances or conditions; situate. Idioms: under no circumstances In no case; never. under/in the circumstances Given these conditions; such being the case.
[Middle English, from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from circumst ns, circumstant-, present participle of circumst re, to stand around : circum-, circum- + st re, to stand; see st - in Indo-European roots.] |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | circumstances - your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you); "whatever my fortune may be"; "deserved a better fate"; "has a happy lot"; "the luck of the Irish"; "a victim of circumstances"; "success that was her portion"condition - a mode of being or form of existence of a person or thing; "the human condition" providence - a manifestation of God's foresightful care for his creatures failure - lack of success; "he felt that his entire life had been a failure"; "that year there was a crop failure" | | 2. | circumstances - a person's financial situation (good or bad); "he found himself in straitened circumstances" |
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