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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary cir·cum·stance \\ˈsər-k əm-ˌstan(t)s, -stən(t)s\\ 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 murder2. 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 c. plural : situation with regard to wealth he was in easy circumstances rose from difficult circumstances3. attendant formalities and ceremonial pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war — Shakespeare4. an event that constitutes a detail (as of a narrative or course of events) considering each circumstance in turnSynonyms: see occurrence
circumstance
early 13c., "conditions surrounding and accompanying an event," from L. circumstantia "surrounding condition," neut. pl. of circumstans (gen. circumstantis), prp. of circumstare "stand around," from circum "around" + stare "to stand" from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). Meaning "a person's surroundings, environment" is from mid-14c. Obsolete sense of "formality about an important event" (late 14c.) lingers in Shakespeare's phrase pomp and circumstance ("Othello" III, iii).
Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English Oxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishcircumstance
noun 1 (usually circumstances) facts/events that affect sth ADJ. favourable The scheme might work better with more favourable circumstances. | adverse, difficult, tragic, trying, unfavourable people facing adverse circumstances He died in tragic circumstances. | normal In normal circumstances I would let you use my car, but today I need it. | exceptional, special, unusual Only if the circumstances are exceptional will we accept late applications. | mysterious, suspicious She died in rather suspicious circumstances. | extenuating, mitigating His sentence was reduced because of the extenuating circumstances. | changed, changing, different | unavoidable, unforeseen | economic, financial, political, social life in the changing economic circumstances of China QUANT. set an unfortunate set of circumstances that made her life difficult CIRCUMSTANCE + VERB change | conspire, dictate sth I felt that circumstances were conspiring against me. Circumstances dictate that I should leave this town forever. PREP. according to ~ The amount paid will vary according to circumstances. | due to … ~s Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to reschedule the concert. | in … ~s She died in suspicious circumstances. | in/under the ~s In the circumstances, you'd better ring the police. | ~ surrounding The bank will investigate the circumstances surrounding the robbery. PHRASES by/through force of circumstance The survivors ate plants and insects through force of circumstance. | circumstances beyond our control The delays were due to circumstances beyond our control. | a combination of circumstances We lost our position in the market due to a combination of circumstances. | in/under no circumstances Under no circumstances should you leave the door unlocked. | a victim of circumstance He was simply a victim of circumstance. 2 circumstances: amount of money you have ADJ. desperate, reduced, straitened | domestic, family, personal CIRCUMSTANCE + VERB improve | worsen PREP. in … ~ He was a writer living in straitened circumstances. Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 ☞ circumstancecir·cum·stance / 5sE:kEmstEns; -stB:ns; -stAns; NAmE 5sE:rkEmstAns / noun1. [C, usually pl.] the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action 条件；环境；状况: The company reserves the right to cancel this agreement in certain circumstances. 本公司保留在一定条件下取消这项协议的权利。 changing social and political circumstances 正在变化的社会和政治环境 I know I can trust her in any circumstance. 我知道我在任何情况下都能信任她。 Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death. 警方说关于男孩死亡一事没有发现可疑的情况。 The ship sank in mysterious circumstances. 那艘船神秘地沉没了。 She never discovered the true circumstances of her birth. 她从未弄清她身世的真相。 ⇨ note at situation 2. circumstances [pl.] the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have 境况；境遇；(尤指)经济状况: Grants are awarded according to your financial circumstances. 补助金根据经济状况发给。 family / domestic / personal circumstances 家庭/个人经济状况 3. [U] ( formal) situations and events that affect and influence your life and that are not in your control 命运；客观环境: a victim of circumstance (= a person who has suffered because of a situation that they cannot control) 客观环境的牺牲品 He had to leave the country through force of circumstance (= events made it necessary). 为势所迫,他不得不离开这个国家。 IDIOMS ▪ in / under the 'circumstances used before or after a statement to show that you have thought about the conditions that affect a situation before making a decision or a statement 在这种情况下；既然如此: Under the circumstances, it seemed better not to tell him about the accident. 在这种情况下,不告诉他有关这次事故的情况似乎更好。 She did the job very well in the circumstances. 她在那种情况下仍把工作干得很出色。 ▪ in / under no circumstances used to emphasize that sth should never happen or be allowed 决不；无论如何不: Under no circumstances should you lend Paul any money. 你无论如何都不能借钱给保罗。 Don't open the door, in any circumstances. 在任何情况下都不要开门。 ⇨ more at pomp , reduce
circumstance noun
⇨ situation Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged Search result show the entry is found in: not a circumstance to
cir·cum·stance\ˈsərkəmzˌtan(t)s, ˈsə̄k-, ˈsəik-, -mˌst-, -taa(ə)n-, -tain- Brit usually & US also -_tən- or -_stən-; sometimes -ˌtȧn- or -ˌstȧn-\ noun( -s) Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstant-, circumstans, present participle of circumstare to stand around, from circum- + stare to stand — more at stand 1. a. : a specific part, phase, or attribute of the surroundings or background of an event, fact, or thing or of the prevailing conditions in which it exists or takes place : a condition, fact, or event accompanying, conditioning, or determining another : an adjunct or concomitant that is present or logically likely to be present < it was late but he overlooked that circumstance > < the time, place, and other circumstances of an action > < the circumstance that the man was happy raised the presumption that he was prosperous enough > < every circumstance of calculated and characteristic … treachery — Sir Winston Churchill > b. : a subordinate detail : an adventitious nonessential fact or detail < the gist of the matter, not the circumstances >2. a. : the total complex of essential attributes and attendant adjuncts of a fact or action : the sum of essential and environmental characteristics : arrangement, situation, composition, or nature of an event or thing— usually used in singular without the indefinite article and rarely with the definite article < constant and rapid change in economic circumstance, social custom, and intellectual atmosphere — G.M.Trevelyan > b. : occurrence , eventuality < the unofficial minority voted solidly against a government measure — a rare circumstance — W.T.Stace > c. : an evidential condition on the basis of which an event (as a crime) may be inferred or an accusation made probable or improbable < the circumstances of the case indicate murder > < the circumstances tell against the accused > d. : surroundings or situation as regards wealth, property, assured income — usually used in plural < a bachelor in easy circumstances with a large inheritance to draw on > e. obsolete : a likely appurtenance : a characteristic property 3. : formalities and ritualistic display especially as contrasted with essential procedure : attendant ceremonial < pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war — Shakespeare > < with appropriate ducal and episcopal circumstance — Francis Hackett >4. in a narrative : circumstantial detail < stress circumstance rather than action in a novel >5. : an occurrence or fact viewed as a detail in a larger continuum < the conqueror weeping for new worlds or the like circumstances in history — Joseph Addison >6. : chance , fate < a training in self-reliance, endurance, and indifference to circumstance — Geographical Review > < a mere victim of circumstance — Fritz Stern >Synonyms: see occurrence • - in the circumstances - not a circumstance to - under no circumstances
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