circumstance

[ sur-kuhm-stans or, esp. British, -stuhns ]
/ ˈsɜr kəmˌstæns or, esp. British, -stəns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR circumstance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object), cir·cum·stanced, cir·cum·stanc·ing.

to place in particular circumstances or relations: The company was favorably circumstanced by the rise in tariffs.
Obsolete.
  1. to furnish with details.
  2. to control or guide by circumstances.

Idioms for circumstance

    under no circumstances, regardless of events or conditions; never: Under no circumstances should you see them again.
    under the circumstances, because of the conditions; as the case stands: Under the circumstances, there is little hope for an early settlement. Also in the circumstances.

Origin of circumstance

1175–1225; Middle English < Latin circumstantia ( circumstant-, stem of circumstāns, present participle of circumstāre to stand round), equivalent to circum- circum- + stā- stand + -nt present participle suffix + -ia noun suffix; see -ance

Words nearby circumstance

circumscription, circumsolar, circumspect, circumspection, circumspective, circumstance, circumstanced, circumstantial, circumstantial evidence, circumstantiality, circumstantiate

Words related to under the circumstances

appropriately, thus, properly, therefore, subsequently, proportionately, respectively, correspondingly, consequently, duly, equally, ergo, hence, so, suitably, then, fitly, resultantly

British Dictionary definitions for under the circumstances

circumstance
/ (ˈsɜːkəmstəns) /

noun

verb (tr)

to place in a particular condition or situation
obsolete to give in detail

Word Origin for circumstance

C13: from Old French circonstance, from Latin circumstantia, from circumstāre to stand around, from circum- + stāre to stand

Idioms and Phrases with under the circumstances (1 of 2)

under the circumstances

Also, in the circumstances. Given these conditions, such being the case, as in Under the circumstances we can't leave Mary out. This idiom uses circumstance in the sense of “a particular situation,” a usage dating from the late 1300s. It may also be modified in various ways, such as under any circumstances meaning “no matter what the situation,” as in We'll phone her under any circumstances; under no circumstances, meaning “in no case, never,” as in Under no circumstances may you smoke; under any other circumstances, meaning “in a different situation,” as in I can't work under any other circumstances; and under the same circumstances, meaning “given the same situation,” as in Under the same circumstances anyone would have done the same.

Idioms and Phrases with under the circumstances (2 of 2)

circumstance

see extenuating circumstances; under the circumstances.