circumstancen.

Brit.

/ˈsəːkəmst(ə)ns/,

/ˈsəːkəmstɑːns/,

/ˈsəːkəmstans/, U.S.

/ˈsərkəmˌstæns/

Forms: Middle English–1500s circumstaunce, Middle English circumstanse, circumstaunse, Middle English–1500s cyrcumstaunce, (Middle English syrcumstaunce, scircumstance), 1500s cyrcumstance, ( cercumstans, surcomstance), Middle English– circumstance.

Etymology: < Old French circum-, circonstance (13th cent. in Littré), < Latin circumstantia standing around, surrounding condition, < circumstant-em, present participle of circumstāre to stand around, < circum around + stāre to stand. Like assistance, and nouns in -ance generally, this was originally a noun of action or condition, not taking a or plural; but in most current senses it has become determinate and capable of plurality.

I. That which surrounds materially, morally, or logically.

†1.

a. That which stands around or surrounds; the totality of surrounding things; surroundings; environment. Obsolete (exc. nonce-use as in 1832).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > [noun] > that which surrounds > a surrounding space or area > totality of surroundings or environment

circumstancea1340

encompassure1600

environry1600

vironry1600

attendment1646

circumambiency1646

ambience1648

environment1725

circumjacency1751

environ1762

environage1831

setting1841

enshrinement1849

entourage1850

milieu1854

surroundings1861

ambiente1862

mise-en-scène1871

surround1922

Umwelt1964

a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxl[i]. 3 Set lord..dure of circumstaunce [L. ostium circumstantiæ] til my lippis [so 1382 Wyclif].

c1400 Test. Love (1560) i. 277/2 Had I been blind, with myne handes all the circumstaunce I myght well have feeled.

1562 G. Legh Accedens of Armory (1597) A vj The description of the Viniet with the circumstance thereof.

1832 Ld. Tennyson Palace of Art lxvi, in Poems (new ed.) 87 A star that with the choral starry dance Joined not, but stood, and standing saw The hollow orb of moving Circumstance Rolled round by one fixed law.

†b. Circumference. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > shape > curvature > roundness > [noun] > circularity > a circle > circumference

compass1340

circuita1382

roundnessa1382

circumference1393

circlea1400

round?a1500

circumstance1509

apsis1601

ambit1655

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xii. 5 In his hand a ball of right great cyrcumstaunce.

†c. spec. The surrounding sense or context of a passage. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > [noun] > context

circumstance1549

context1577

coherence1583

coherent1607

contexture1608

connection1724

environment1874

1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 6th Serm. sig. Uiiii It is the circumstaunce, and collacion of places that make scripture playne.

1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 168/1 The circumstance of the place, sheweth that Iesus Christ is called Mediatour in respect hereof.

a. plural. The logical surroundings or ‘adjuncts’ of an action; the time, place, manner, cause, occasion, etc., amid which it takes place; in singular any one of these conditioning adjuncts.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > [noun] > a particular or detail

circumstances?c1225

particularity1528

the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > [noun] > non-essentialness > of an action

circumstances?c1225

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun] > of an action

circumstances?c1225

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed > a detail or particular

circumstances?c1225

parcela1325

partya1393

specialc1405

particular?a1425

partc1425

specialityc1443

specialty1449

especialityc1460

particularity1528

respect1533

severals1606

especial1633

particularment1642

retail1644

instance1649

circumstantiality1854

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 235 Abute sunne [= sin] liggeð six þinges. þet hit hulieð. o latin circumstances. on englis totagges muȝe beon icleoped. Persone. stude. time. Manere. tale. cause.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 27158 Þe circumstances Þat mesurs oft-sithes vr penances..Qua, quate, qui, quare, quam wit, quen.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 141 The tyme, place, maner or some other cyrcumstaunce belongyng to the same.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 107 Neither in time, matter, or other circumstance .

1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will ii. viii. 76 Unless the different Time be a Circumstance which has Influence.

b. in Grammar. An adverbial adjunct.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > adverb > [noun] > specific types of

adverb of quality1530

frequentative1635

adverb of manner1728

circumstance1795

submodifier1868

sentence adverb1892

downtoner?1900

sentence adverbial1964

1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. App. 193 It is a rule..never to crowd too many circumstances together, but rather to intersperse them in different parts of the sentence.

3. ‘The adjuncts of a fact which make it more or less criminal; or make an accusation more or less probable’ (Johnson). Cf. circumstantial evidence at circumstantial adj. 1a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > [noun] > evidence given, testimony > piece of > indicating probability

circumstance1580

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 111 I know not by experience, & yet I beleeue by circumstance.

1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) iv. v. 502 The circumstances of an acte doe either aggrauate or diminish the offence therein.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. ii. 77 Voutsafe..Of these supposed euils to giue me leaue, By circumstance but [t]o acquite my selfe.

1600 M. Drayton Idea in Englands Heroicall Epist. (rev. ed.) sig. P7 In euery thing I hold this maxim still, The circumstance doth make it good or ill.

1612 J. Webster White Divel iii. ii We have nought but circumstances To charge her with, about her husband's death.

1682 T. Southerne Loyal Brother ii. i Had I a circumstance, a shew of truth I would..drive the sorceress hence.

1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 87 There are great Complaints against two of our Traders..the circumstances are very strong.

a. The ‘condition or state of affairs’ (Johnson) surrounding and affecting an agent; esp. the external conditions prevailing at the time. (Now usually plural) Esp. in (the) creature of circumstance(s).

Mere situation is expressed by ‘in the circumstances’, action affected is performed ‘under the circumstances’.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun]

thingeOE

to-tagc12..

estrec1300

casec1325

aboutstanding1340

circumstancec1380

termsa1382

conditionc1384

befalla1492

weather1603

attendant1607

belonginga1616

circumstantial1647

incident1649

incidence1670

incidental1707

attitude1744

circs1883

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun] > creature of circumstance

(the) creature of circumstance(s)1827

c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 392 Iche counseile of Crist is comaundement for sumtyme and summe circumstaunsis.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. KKKi^v All..thynges perteynyng therto, as circumstaunces required.

1698 R. South 12 Serm. III. 407 Every Hypocrite..under the same Circumstances would have infallibly treated Him with the same Barbarity.

1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Sensus Communis: Ess. Freedom of Wit 117 The past Actions and Circumstances of Mankind.

1745 W. Harris in Private Lett. 1st Ld. Malmesbury (1870) I. 19 A..march attended with the severest circumstances of weather and roads.

1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 47 I am govern'd by circumstances..I cannot govern them.

1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. ix. 61 Your administration has driven us into circumstances of equal distress.

1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vi. vii. 260 Man is not the creature of circumstances. Circumstances are the creatures of men.

1827 J. C. Hare & A. W. Hare Guesses at Truth 1 Man without religion is the creature of circumstances.

1836 R. Owen Bk. New Moral World i. vii. 37 Man is the creature of the circumstances in which he is placed.]

1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 140 Who found himself in circumstances to which he was unequal.

1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris (1880) 17 The desire to obtain the money will, under certain circumstances, stimulate industry.

1862 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. II. iii. 83 We are but the creatures of circumstances.

1867 R. Broughton Cometh up as Flower I. i. 2 As comfortable as circumstances will permit.

1872 E. G. White Testimonies for Church No. 21. 65 If we are creatures of circumstance, we shall surely fail of perfecting Christian characters.

1875 W. S. Jevons Money 13 By custom or the force of circumstances.

1929 Sat. Rev. 20 July 78/2 Theresa is the creature of circumstance.

1947 W. S. Maugham (title) Creatures of circumstance.

b. without a or plural: now poetic or rhetorical.

ΚΠ

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 102 You speake like a greene girle Vnsifted in such perrilous circumstance .

1713 R. Steele Englishman No. 49. 314 Under this Circumstance, I..have lately been converted.

1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Second 10 Who does the best his circumstance allows, Does well.

1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iii. i. 99 All are the sons of circumstance.

1887 H. R. Haggard She xviii Nor can he count the airy threads that weave the web of circumstance.

5. esp. Condition or state as to material welfare, means. Now always plural. in easy circumstances, good circumstances, reduced circumstances, straitened circumstances, etc.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > possessions > [noun] > a person's collective property or substance

thingOE

chattela1240

cattlec1275

i-wonc1275

moneya1325

tilea1325

statec1330

thrifta1350

substancea1382

chevance1477

graith?a1513

estate1563

wortha1586

thrive1592

fortune1596

store1600

boodle1699

circumstancea1704

the mind > possession > wealth > rich or wealthy [phrase] > well off

well at easec1330

of substance?a1439

at rack and (at) mangera1500

in good case1560

well to live1568

well and warmc1571

well to pass in the worlda1609

inlaid1699

in easy circumstancesa1704

well to do in the world1805

stouth and routh1816

quids in1919

the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun] > circumstances of a person or in life

farcostc1275

chesounc1380

condition1607

circumstancea1704

situation1728

a1704 T. Brown Declam. Praise Wealth in Wks. (1707) I. i. 123 Despicable in Circumstance.

1716 J. Addison Freeholder No. 42 When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.

1816 W. Godwin Caleb Williams (ed. 4) III. xiii. 243 As..circumstances were narrow.

1844 Ld. Brougham Albert Lunel I. iii. 51 Born of noble family..reduced in its circumstances.

1872 E. Peacock Mabel Heron I. i. 7 I am afraid he is in very bad circumstances still.

1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar v. 41 A country gentleman in good circumstances.

II. Words or work made about anything.

6. Circumstantiality of detail; detailed and hence (formerly) circuitous narration; circumlocution, beating about the bush, indirectness. archaic.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > attention to details

circumstance1509

particularity1638

minuteness1640

circumstantiality1731

circumstantialness1731

circumstancing1801

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) 59 Poetes..tell theyr tale with al due circumstance.

1574 J. Baret Aluearie C 524 To vse great circumstance of woordes, to go about the bushe. Circuitione vti.

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. i. 154 You..heerein spend but time To wind about my loue with circumstance .

1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) i. sig. C3^v Time cuts off circumstance; I must be briefe.

1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc iii. 362 Such tale Minutely told with accurate circumstance.

1851 A. Helps Friends in Council i. 33 Has not each case its specialities, requiring to be argued with much circumstance.

with plural.1597 F. Bacon Ess. f. 3 To vse too many circumstances ere one come to the matter.

a. The ‘ado’ made about anything; formality, ceremony, about any important event or action. without (†out of), circumstance: without ado or ceremony, unceremonious(ly, abrupt(ly. archaic.Chiefly preserved by Shakespeare's ‘pomp and circumstance’ (see pomp n.¹ 1a).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > ceremony or formality > [noun]

with or in (great, etc.) solemnityc1290

ceremonialc1380

circumstancec1386

celebrityc1425

pomposity?a1475

solemness1530

state1599

fashionableness1608

ceremoniality1623

decorum1638

setness1642

formality1666

ceremonialnessa1680

formalness1684

gravity1689

solemn1706

ceremony1759

panjandrum1860

c1386 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 1405 His sacrifice he dide..fful pitously with alle circumstance.

1541 Act 33 Hen. VIII c. 12 §8 The solemne and dew circumstaunce of the execucion.

1609–38 T. Heywood Rape Lucrece in Wks. (1874) V. 209 Shall we to horse without circumstance?

a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 359 Pride, pompe, and circumstance of glorious warre.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. i. 90 His approach (So out of circumstance, and suddaine) tells vs, 'Tis not a Visitation fram'd, but forc'd.

1805 R. Southey Madoc ii. ii. 197 Solemnity and circumstance, And pomp of hellish piety.

1819 S. Rogers Human Life 65 Busy and full of life and circumstance.

1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. ii. iii. 443 It was done with great circumstance.

1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xx. 280 All the pomp and circumstance of a tournament.

with plural.1600 J. Stow Annales Eng. (rev. ed.) 1236 Skinke..without any circumstances condemned him to be throwne..into the Reine.

†b. Importance, moment (of any matter). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun]

mund?c1250

steemc1330

greatnessc1410

substancec1425

importance1485

weight1521

moment1522

weightiness1530

importancy1531

importunance1546

import1548

reckoning1582

sequel1588

ponderosity1589

valure1594

consequence1597

significance1597

circumstance1599

consequent1599

eminency1622

importmenta1625

concernment1626

consideration1634

telling1636

signification1645

considerableness1647

concerningness1657

nearness1679

significancy1679

respectability1769

interest1809

noteworthiness1852

portee1893

valency1897

1599 A. Day Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) ii. sig. Nn1^v Matter of more circumstance, then by euerie one is considered.

a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Coxcombe v. i, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Oo4^v/2 It seems here your businesse is of deeper circumstance then I conceiv'd it for.

1676 J. Owen Brief Instr. Worship of God 53 What is of circumstance in the manner of its performance?

c. In U.S. colloquial phrases: not a circumstance to, nothing in comparison with; a mere (or remote, poor) circumstance, a person or thing of little or no importance.

ΚΠ

1836 Crockett's Yaller Flower Almanac 19 Orson, the wild man of the woods, is nothing to him—not a circumstance.

1838 E. Flagg Far West I. 145 The race of John Gilpin or of Alderman Purdy were, either or both of them, mere circumstances to ours.

c1840 in Thornton Amer. Gloss. (1912) II. 969 I'm a little specimen, as you see, a remote circumstance, a mere yearling.

1845 S. Judd Margaret ii. v. 284 O, it an't a circumstance to what it used to be.

1899 ‘M. Twain’ in Harper's Mag. (1914) Dec. 10/1 Next comes King John, and he was a poor circumstance.

1901 W. N. Harben Westerfelt xvi. 219 ‘Mother told me he often drove you out home.’ ‘Oh, la, that ain't a circumstance, Harriet! He used to come out home mighty nigh every day or night.’

1903 Nation (N.Y.) 1 Oct. 258 Undigested securities are not a circumstance to undigested political principles.

III. That which is non-essential, accessary, or subordinate; a detail, a particular.

8. That which is not of the essence or substance: philosophically, the phenomenal part, the sum of the accidents or attributes; sometimes (with plural) an attribute; (more informally) what is adventitious or casual. Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or fortuitous circumstance

hazard1340

accidencea1393

a venture's strokec1450

chance1487

contingent1548

circumstance1599

lotterya1616

accidency1645

by-accident1648

frisk1665

accidentala1834

the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > [noun] > non-essentialness > that which is non-essential or accident

accidentala1398

adventionc1475

accident1491

circumstance1599

under-accident1632

contingential1647

modality1647

adventitial1652

extrinsical1652

adventition1661

ornamental1774

inessential1778

non-essential1806

the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [noun] > attribute > sum of accidents or attributes

circumstance1599

1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum 19 Sense outsides knowes, the Soule through all things sees, Sense Circumstance, she doth the substance view.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) v. iii. 39 He that loues himselfe, Hath not essentially, but by circumstance The name of Valour.

1685 tr. B. Gracián y Morales Courtiers Oracle ii The substance is not enough, unless it be cloathed with its circumstances.

1702 Eng. Theophrastus 378 In all things the circumstance is as necessary as the substance, nay, and more.

1875 E. H. Sears Serm. & Songs 308 When..this outward circumstance of clay [has] passed away from us for ever.

9. Subordinate matters or details: strictly matters ‘appendant or relative to a fact’ (Johnson), viewed as extraneous to its essence, but passing into the sense of ‘Subordinate parts of the fact, details’.

†a. without a or plural. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > [noun] > a particular or detail > details

circumstance1393

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed

specialty1384

circumstance1393

punctuality1620

punctualness1620

specializing1633

particularity1638

detailedness1842

specificality1858

detailism1865

1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 180 The mater of her tale tolde With all the hole circumstaunce.

a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 417 His drem all hail he haith disclossit; The houre, the nyght, and al the cercumstans.

1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet v. ii. 2 You doe remember all the circumstance .

1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1557 Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer.

1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 260 The Danger of Death not left out of the Circumstance of Sickness.

b. a circumstance (with plural): An accessory matter, a matter appertaining, relative, or subordinate; a particular, a detail.

ΚΠ

1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 12425 Clerkys kalle hem [smale synnes] ‘cyrcumstaunces’, To þe grete synne are þey puruyaunces.

1414 T. Brampton Paraphr. Seven Penit. Psalms lvi. 22 No prevy sore, Ne circumstaunce that longyth ther tylle.

1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 421/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II The etymon of the name, and other circumstances belonging thereto.

1594 H. Plat Diuers Chimicall Concl. Distillation 12 in Jewell House If there be any that [can] say more in the circumstances of butter, I hope their dairies be greater than mine.

1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. iii. 170 Many ticklish Curiosities, and nice Circumstances there are to perform this Experiment exactly.

1680 W. Allen Perswasive to Peace & Unity (ed. 2) 7 Undetermined circumstances of Order or Worship.

1724 J. Swift Let. to People of Ireland 21 The Sentence of Death, with all the Circumstances of Hanging, Beheading, Quartering, Embowelling and the like.

†c. A material adjunct, appendage, appurtenance, matter, or thing belonging. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1409/2 The powder and pellets in a box..the couerlet, with the rest of the circumstances therevnto apperteining.

1685 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 456 He [sc. Monmouth on the scaffold]..would make use of no cap, or other circumstance.

1765 W. Cowper Let. 24 June (1979) I. 95 The River Ouze..is the most agreeable Circumstance in this part of the World.

1789 A. Young Jrnl. 16 June in Trav. France (1792) i. 113 The most interesting circumstance of their farms is the chicory.

10. An event viewed as a detail of some narrative, or history, or of the general course of events; an incident, an occurrence; a matter or fact (properly of a secondary or subordinate kind).In this use ‘circumstance’ tends to be entirely emptied of its etymological meaning, and to become merely a vaguer expression for ‘fact’, ‘event’. It is frequently so used in apposition to a substantive clause, as in quot. 1850.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [noun] > occurrence or event

weird971

redeOE

thingOE

limpc1200

casea1250

tidingc1275

timinga1325

being?c1400

incident?1462

advenement1490

occurrent1523

accidenta1525

occurrence1539

affair1550

event1554

happening1561

événement1567

success1588

betide1590

circumstance1592

arrivage1603

eveniency1660

occurrency1671

betider1674

befalling1839

whet1849

intermezzo1851

transpiration1908

1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. C3^v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) They being together..argueth the circumstaunce of his going to N. to be but a meere disguising.

1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 29 If but one word be true..Or but one single Circumstance In all th' Apocryphal Romance.

1704 J. Addison Remarks on Italy: Florence 413 The Conqueror's weeping for new worlds, or some other..circumstance of his history.

1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 181 Every circumstance..likely to happen.

1807 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 5) II. 365 This circumstance therefore agrees nearly with the theory.

1848 C. Dickens Dombey & Son xlix. 485 An appeal to arms..rendered necessary by any unforeseen circumstance.

1850 J. McCosh Method Divine Govt. (1874) iii. ii. 365 The circumstance has often been..dwelt on by divines, that Ungodliness is the universal sin of humanity.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	circumstance
释义	circumstancen. Brit. /ˈsəːkəmst(ə)ns/, /ˈsəːkəmstɑːns/, /ˈsəːkəmstans/, U.S. /ˈsərkəmˌstæns/ Forms: Middle English–1500s circumstaunce, Middle English circumstanse, circumstaunse, Middle English–1500s cyrcumstaunce, (Middle English syrcumstaunce, scircumstance), 1500s cyrcumstance, ( cercumstans, surcomstance), Middle English– circumstance. Etymology: < Old French circum-, circonstance (13th cent. in Littré), < Latin circumstantia standing around, surrounding condition, < circumstant-em, present participle of circumstāre to stand around, < circum around + stāre to stand. Like assistance, and nouns in -ance generally, this was originally a noun of action or condition, not taking a or plural; but in most current senses it has become determinate and capable of plurality. I. That which surrounds materially, morally, or logically. †1. a. That which stands around or surrounds; the totality of surrounding things; surroundings; environment. Obsolete (exc. nonce-use as in 1832). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > surrounding > [noun] > that which surrounds > a surrounding space or area > totality of surroundings or environment circumstancea1340 encompassure1600 environry1600 vironry1600 attendment1646 circumambiency1646 ambience1648 environment1725 circumjacency1751 environ1762 environage1831 setting1841 enshrinement1849 entourage1850 milieu1854 surroundings1861 ambiente1862 mise-en-scène1871 surround1922 Umwelt1964 a1340 R. Rolle Psalter cxl[i]. 3 Set lord..dure of circumstaunce [L. ostium circumstantiæ] til my lippis [so 1382 Wyclif]. c1400 Test. Love (1560) i. 277/2 Had I been blind, with myne handes all the circumstaunce I myght well have feeled. 1562 G. Legh Accedens of Armory (1597) A vj The description of the Viniet with the circumstance thereof. 1832 Ld. Tennyson Palace of Art lxvi, in Poems (new ed.) 87 A star that with the choral starry dance Joined not, but stood, and standing saw The hollow orb of moving Circumstance Rolled round by one fixed law. †b. Circumference. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > curvature > roundness > [noun] > circularity > a circle > circumference compass1340 circuita1382 roundnessa1382 circumference1393 circlea1400 round?a1500 circumstance1509 apsis1601 ambit1655 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xii. 5 In his hand a ball of right great cyrcumstaunce. †c. spec. The surrounding sense or context of a passage. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > meaning of linguistic unit > [noun] > context circumstance1549 context1577 coherence1583 coherent1607 contexture1608 connection1724 environment1874 1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 6th Serm. sig. Uiiii It is the circumstaunce, and collacion of places that make scripture playne. 1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 168/1 The circumstance of the place, sheweth that Iesus Christ is called Mediatour in respect hereof. 2. a. plural. The logical surroundings or ‘adjuncts’ of an action; the time, place, manner, cause, occasion, etc., amid which it takes place; in singular any one of these conditioning adjuncts. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > [noun] > a particular or detail circumstances?c1225 particularity1528 the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > [noun] > non-essentialness > of an action circumstances?c1225 the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun] > of an action circumstances?c1225 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed > a detail or particular circumstances?c1225 parcela1325 partya1393 specialc1405 particular?a1425 partc1425 specialityc1443 specialty1449 especialityc1460 particularity1528 respect1533 severals1606 especial1633 particularment1642 retail1644 instance1649 circumstantiality1854 ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 235 Abute sunne [= sin] liggeð six þinges. þet hit hulieð. o latin circumstances. on englis totagges muȝe beon icleoped. Persone. stude. time. Manere. tale. cause. a1300 Cursor Mundi 27158 Þe circumstances Þat mesurs oft-sithes vr penances..Qua, quate, qui, quare, quam wit, quen. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 141 The tyme, place, maner or some other cyrcumstaunce belongyng to the same. a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iv. ii. 107 Neither in time, matter, or other circumstance . View more context for this quotation 1754 J. Edwards Careful Enq. Freedom of Will ii. viii. 76 Unless the different Time be a Circumstance which has Influence. b. in Grammar. An adverbial adjunct. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > a part of speech > adverb > [noun] > specific types of adverb of quality1530 frequentative1635 adverb of manner1728 circumstance1795 submodifier1868 sentence adverb1892 downtoner?1900 sentence adverbial1964 1795 L. Murray Eng. Gram. App. 193 It is a rule..never to crowd too many circumstances together, but rather to intersperse them in different parts of the sentence. 3. ‘The adjuncts of a fact which make it more or less criminal; or make an accusation more or less probable’ (Johnson). Cf. circumstantial evidence at circumstantial adj. 1a. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > [noun] > evidence given, testimony > piece of > indicating probability circumstance1580 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 111 I know not by experience, & yet I beleeue by circumstance. 1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) iv. v. 502 The circumstances of an acte doe either aggrauate or diminish the offence therein. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. ii. 77 Voutsafe..Of these supposed euils to giue me leaue, By circumstance but [t]o acquite my selfe. 1600 M. Drayton Idea in Englands Heroicall Epist. (rev. ed.) sig. P7 In euery thing I hold this maxim still, The circumstance doth make it good or ill. 1612 J. Webster White Divel iii. ii We have nought but circumstances To charge her with, about her husband's death. 1682 T. Southerne Loyal Brother ii. i Had I a circumstance, a shew of truth I would..drive the sorceress hence. 1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 87 There are great Complaints against two of our Traders..the circumstances are very strong. 4. a. The ‘condition or state of affairs’ (Johnson) surrounding and affecting an agent; esp. the external conditions prevailing at the time. (Now usually plural) Esp. in (the) creature of circumstance(s). Mere situation is expressed by ‘in the circumstances’, action affected is performed ‘under the circumstances’. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun] thingeOE to-tagc12.. estrec1300 casec1325 aboutstanding1340 circumstancec1380 termsa1382 conditionc1384 befalla1492 weather1603 attendant1607 belonginga1616 circumstantial1647 incident1649 incidence1670 incidental1707 attitude1744 circs1883 the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun] > creature of circumstance (the) creature of circumstance(s)1827 c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 392 Iche counseile of Crist is comaundement for sumtyme and summe circumstaunsis. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. KKKi^v All..thynges perteynyng therto, as circumstaunces required. 1698 R. South 12 Serm. III. 407 Every Hypocrite..under the same Circumstances would have infallibly treated Him with the same Barbarity. 1709 Ld. Shaftesbury Sensus Communis: Ess. Freedom of Wit 117 The past Actions and Circumstances of Mankind. 1745 W. Harris in Private Lett. 1st Ld. Malmesbury (1870) I. 19 A..march attended with the severest circumstances of weather and roads. 1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 47 I am govern'd by circumstances..I cannot govern them. 1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. ix. 61 Your administration has driven us into circumstances of equal distress. 1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vi. vii. 260 Man is not the creature of circumstances. Circumstances are the creatures of men. 1827 J. C. Hare & A. W. Hare Guesses at Truth 1 Man without religion is the creature of circumstances. 1836 R. Owen Bk. New Moral World i. vii. 37 Man is the creature of the circumstances in which he is placed.] 1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 140 Who found himself in circumstances to which he was unequal. 1862 J. Ruskin Munera Pulveris (1880) 17 The desire to obtain the money will, under certain circumstances, stimulate industry. 1862 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. II. iii. 83 We are but the creatures of circumstances. 1867 R. Broughton Cometh up as Flower I. i. 2 As comfortable as circumstances will permit. 1872 E. G. White Testimonies for Church No. 21. 65 If we are creatures of circumstance, we shall surely fail of perfecting Christian characters. 1875 W. S. Jevons Money 13 By custom or the force of circumstances. 1929 Sat. Rev. 20 July 78/2 Theresa is the creature of circumstance. 1947 W. S. Maugham (title) Creatures of circumstance. b. without a or plural: now poetic or rhetorical. ΚΠ 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 102 You speake like a greene girle Vnsifted in such perrilous circumstance . View more context for this quotation 1713 R. Steele Englishman No. 49. 314 Under this Circumstance, I..have lately been converted. 1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Second 10 Who does the best his circumstance allows, Does well. 1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iii. i. 99 All are the sons of circumstance. 1887 H. R. Haggard She xviii Nor can he count the airy threads that weave the web of circumstance. 5. esp. Condition or state as to material welfare, means. Now always plural. in easy circumstances, good circumstances, reduced circumstances, straitened circumstances, etc. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > possessions > [noun] > a person's collective property or substance thingOE chattela1240 cattlec1275 i-wonc1275 moneya1325 tilea1325 statec1330 thrifta1350 substancea1382 chevance1477 graith?a1513 estate1563 wortha1586 thrive1592 fortune1596 store1600 boodle1699 circumstancea1704 the mind > possession > wealth > rich or wealthy [phrase] > well off well at easec1330 of substance?a1439 at rack and (at) mangera1500 in good case1560 well to live1568 well and warmc1571 well to pass in the worlda1609 inlaid1699 in easy circumstancesa1704 well to do in the world1805 stouth and routh1816 quids in1919 the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > [noun] > circumstances of a person or in life farcostc1275 chesounc1380 condition1607 circumstancea1704 situation1728 a1704 T. Brown Declam. Praise Wealth in Wks. (1707) I. i. 123 Despicable in Circumstance. 1716 J. Addison Freeholder No. 42 When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations. 1816 W. Godwin Caleb Williams (ed. 4) III. xiii. 243 As..circumstances were narrow. 1844 Ld. Brougham Albert Lunel I. iii. 51 Born of noble family..reduced in its circumstances. 1872 E. Peacock Mabel Heron I. i. 7 I am afraid he is in very bad circumstances still. 1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar v. 41 A country gentleman in good circumstances. II. Words or work made about anything. 6. Circumstantiality of detail; detailed and hence (formerly) circuitous narration; circumlocution, beating about the bush, indirectness. archaic. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > attention to details circumstance1509 particularity1638 minuteness1640 circumstantiality1731 circumstantialness1731 circumstancing1801 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) 59 Poetes..tell theyr tale with al due circumstance. 1574 J. Baret Aluearie C 524 To vse great circumstance of woordes, to go about the bushe. Circuitione vti. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. i. 154 You..heerein spend but time To wind about my loue with circumstance . View more context for this quotation 1611 C. Tourneur Atheist's Trag. (new ed.) i. sig. C3^v Time cuts off circumstance; I must be briefe. 1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc iii. 362 Such tale Minutely told with accurate circumstance. 1851 A. Helps Friends in Council i. 33 Has not each case its specialities, requiring to be argued with much circumstance. with plural.1597 F. Bacon Ess. f. 3 To vse too many circumstances ere one come to the matter. 7. a. The ‘ado’ made about anything; formality, ceremony, about any important event or action. without (†out of), circumstance: without ado or ceremony, unceremonious(ly, abrupt(ly. archaic.Chiefly preserved by Shakespeare's ‘pomp and circumstance’ (see pomp n.¹ 1a). ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > ostentation > ceremony or formality > [noun] with or in (great, etc.) solemnityc1290 ceremonialc1380 circumstancec1386 celebrityc1425 pomposity?a1475 solemness1530 state1599 fashionableness1608 ceremoniality1623 decorum1638 setness1642 formality1666 ceremonialnessa1680 formalness1684 gravity1689 solemn1706 ceremony1759 panjandrum1860 c1386 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 1405 His sacrifice he dide..fful pitously with alle circumstance. 1541 Act 33 Hen. VIII c. 12 §8 The solemne and dew circumstaunce of the execucion. 1609–38 T. Heywood Rape Lucrece in Wks. (1874) V. 209 Shall we to horse without circumstance? a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iii. iii. 359 Pride, pompe, and circumstance of glorious warre. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) v. i. 90 His approach (So out of circumstance, and suddaine) tells vs, 'Tis not a Visitation fram'd, but forc'd. View more context for this quotation 1805 R. Southey Madoc ii. ii. 197 Solemnity and circumstance, And pomp of hellish piety. 1819 S. Rogers Human Life 65 Busy and full of life and circumstance. 1855 W. H. Prescott Hist. Reign Philip II of Spain I. ii. iii. 443 It was done with great circumstance. 1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xx. 280 All the pomp and circumstance of a tournament. with plural.1600 J. Stow Annales Eng. (rev. ed.) 1236 Skinke..without any circumstances condemned him to be throwne..into the Reine. †b. Importance, moment (of any matter). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] mund?c1250 steemc1330 greatnessc1410 substancec1425 importance1485 weight1521 moment1522 weightiness1530 importancy1531 importunance1546 import1548 reckoning1582 sequel1588 ponderosity1589 valure1594 consequence1597 significance1597 circumstance1599 consequent1599 eminency1622 importmenta1625 concernment1626 consideration1634 telling1636 signification1645 considerableness1647 concerningness1657 nearness1679 significancy1679 respectability1769 interest1809 noteworthiness1852 portee1893 valency1897 1599 A. Day Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) ii. sig. Nn1^v Matter of more circumstance, then by euerie one is considered. a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Coxcombe v. i, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Oo4^v/2 It seems here your businesse is of deeper circumstance then I conceiv'd it for. 1676 J. Owen Brief Instr. Worship of God 53 What is of circumstance in the manner of its performance? c. In U.S. colloquial phrases: not a circumstance to, nothing in comparison with; a mere (or remote, poor) circumstance, a person or thing of little or no importance. ΚΠ 1836 Crockett's Yaller Flower Almanac 19 Orson, the wild man of the woods, is nothing to him—not a circumstance. 1838 E. Flagg Far West I. 145 The race of John Gilpin or of Alderman Purdy were, either or both of them, mere circumstances to ours. c1840 in Thornton Amer. Gloss. (1912) II. 969 I'm a little specimen, as you see, a remote circumstance, a mere yearling. 1845 S. Judd Margaret ii. v. 284 O, it an't a circumstance to what it used to be. 1899 ‘M. Twain’ in Harper's Mag. (1914) Dec. 10/1 Next comes King John, and he was a poor circumstance. 1901 W. N. Harben Westerfelt xvi. 219 ‘Mother told me he often drove you out home.’ ‘Oh, la, that ain't a circumstance, Harriet! He used to come out home mighty nigh every day or night.’ 1903 Nation (N.Y.) 1 Oct. 258 Undigested securities are not a circumstance to undigested political principles. III. That which is non-essential, accessary, or subordinate; a detail, a particular. 8. That which is not of the essence or substance: philosophically, the phenomenal part, the sum of the accidents or attributes; sometimes (with plural) an attribute; (more informally) what is adventitious or casual. Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [noun] > chance or fortuitous circumstance hazard1340 accidencea1393 a venture's strokec1450 chance1487 contingent1548 circumstance1599 lotterya1616 accidency1645 by-accident1648 frisk1665 accidentala1834 the world > existence and causation > existence > extrinsicality or externality > [noun] > non-essentialness > that which is non-essential or accident accidentala1398 adventionc1475 accident1491 circumstance1599 under-accident1632 contingential1647 modality1647 adventitial1652 extrinsical1652 adventition1661 ornamental1774 inessential1778 non-essential1806 the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical proposition > [noun] > attribute > sum of accidents or attributes circumstance1599 1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum 19 Sense outsides knowes, the Soule through all things sees, Sense Circumstance, she doth the substance view. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) v. iii. 39 He that loues himselfe, Hath not essentially, but by circumstance The name of Valour. View more context for this quotation 1685 tr. B. Gracián y Morales Courtiers Oracle ii The substance is not enough, unless it be cloathed with its circumstances. 1702 Eng. Theophrastus 378 In all things the circumstance is as necessary as the substance, nay, and more. 1875 E. H. Sears Serm. & Songs 308 When..this outward circumstance of clay [has] passed away from us for ever. 9. Subordinate matters or details: strictly matters ‘appendant or relative to a fact’ (Johnson), viewed as extraneous to its essence, but passing into the sense of ‘Subordinate parts of the fact, details’. †a. without a or plural. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > [noun] > a particular or detail > details circumstance1393 the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [noun] > quality of being specific or detailed specialty1384 circumstance1393 punctuality1620 punctualness1620 specializing1633 particularity1638 detailedness1842 specificality1858 detailism1865 1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 180 The mater of her tale tolde With all the hole circumstaunce. a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 417 His drem all hail he haith disclossit; The houre, the nyght, and al the cercumstans. 1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet v. ii. 2 You doe remember all the circumstance . View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1557 Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. View more context for this quotation 1722 D. Defoe Jrnl. Plague Year 260 The Danger of Death not left out of the Circumstance of Sickness. b. a circumstance (with plural): An accessory matter, a matter appertaining, relative, or subordinate; a particular, a detail. ΚΠ 1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 12425 Clerkys kalle hem [smale synnes] ‘cyrcumstaunces’, To þe grete synne are þey puruyaunces. 1414 T. Brampton Paraphr. Seven Penit. Psalms lvi. 22 No prevy sore, Ne circumstaunce that longyth ther tylle. 1587 F. Thynne Ann. Scotl. 421/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II The etymon of the name, and other circumstances belonging thereto. 1594 H. Plat Diuers Chimicall Concl. Distillation 12 in Jewell House If there be any that [can] say more in the circumstances of butter, I hope their dairies be greater than mine. 1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. iii. 170 Many ticklish Curiosities, and nice Circumstances there are to perform this Experiment exactly. 1680 W. Allen Perswasive to Peace & Unity (ed. 2) 7 Undetermined circumstances of Order or Worship. 1724 J. Swift Let. to People of Ireland 21 The Sentence of Death, with all the Circumstances of Hanging, Beheading, Quartering, Embowelling and the like. †c. A material adjunct, appendage, appurtenance, matter, or thing belonging. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1409/2 The powder and pellets in a box..the couerlet, with the rest of the circumstances therevnto apperteining. 1685 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 456 He [sc. Monmouth on the scaffold]..would make use of no cap, or other circumstance. 1765 W. Cowper Let. 24 June (1979) I. 95 The River Ouze..is the most agreeable Circumstance in this part of the World. 1789 A. Young Jrnl. 16 June in Trav. France (1792) i. 113 The most interesting circumstance of their farms is the chicory. 10. An event viewed as a detail of some narrative, or history, or of the general course of events; an incident, an occurrence; a matter or fact (properly of a secondary or subordinate kind).In this use ‘circumstance’ tends to be entirely emptied of its etymological meaning, and to become merely a vaguer expression for ‘fact’, ‘event’. It is frequently so used in apposition to a substantive clause, as in quot. 1850. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [noun] > occurrence or event weird971 redeOE thingOE limpc1200 casea1250 tidingc1275 timinga1325 being?c1400 incident?1462 advenement1490 occurrent1523 accidenta1525 occurrence1539 affair1550 event1554 happening1561 événement1567 success1588 betide1590 circumstance1592 arrivage1603 eveniency1660 occurrency1671 betider1674 befalling1839 whet1849 intermezzo1851 transpiration1908 1592 A. Day 2nd Pt. Eng. Secretorie sig. C3^v, in Eng. Secretorie (rev. ed.) They being together..argueth the circumstaunce of his going to N. to be but a meere disguising. 1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 29 If but one word be true..Or but one single Circumstance In all th' Apocryphal Romance. 1704 J. Addison Remarks on Italy: Florence 413 The Conqueror's weeping for new worlds, or some other..circumstance of his history. 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 181 Every circumstance..likely to happen. 1807 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 5) II. 365 This circumstance therefore agrees nearly with the theory. 1848 C. Dickens Dombey & Son xlix. 485 An appeal to arms..rendered necessary by any unforeseen circumstance. 1850 J. McCosh Method Divine Govt. (1874) iii. ii. 365 The circumstance has often been..dwelt on by divines, that Ungodliness is the universal sin of humanity. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022). circumstancev. Brit. /ˈsəːkəmst(ə)ns/, /ˈsəːkəmstɑːns/, /ˈsəːkəmstans/, U.S. /ˈsərkəmˌstæns/ Etymology: < circumstance n. †1. transitive. To condition, surround with conditions. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > modify, qualify [verb (transitive)] > with conditions circumstancec1475 circumstantiate1638 condition1644 conditionate1848 c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 101 Þan if þe vowe of religioun is circumstaunsid, þan it is plesing to God. 1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. vii. 125 Interpositions so guarded and circumstanced, as would preclude all Mischief arising from them. 2. To place in particular circumstances or relations to other things. Chiefly in past participle. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > circumstance or circumstances > place in certain circumstances [verb (transitive)] circumstantiate1638 circumstance1643 situate1896 1643 T. Case Quarrell of Covenant 48 It is this Prelacy, thus cloathed, thus circumstanc't, which we swear to extirpate. 1668 R. Boyle in Philos. Trans. 1667 (Royal Soc.) 2 608 One [Trial] may suffice, circumstanc'd like that which I shall now relate. 1738 tr. J. Quincy in J. Keill Ess. Animal Œcon. (ed. 4) 251 So to circumstance the Warmth of a Fire, that it shall diffuse..an equal and natural Warmth. 1818 B. O'Reilly Greenland 197 Many ships..are at the same time dangerously circumstanced amongst packed ice. 1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy III. xiii. 262 He knows how I am circumstanced. †3. To furnish with details, set forth with attendant circumstances. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express copiously [verb (transitive)] > treat in minute detail prosecute?1520 circumstance1654 circumstantialize1799 1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία A iiij Thy characters so circumstance each sin, As 't not Describ'd, but had Embowell'd bin. 1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 351. ¶4 The Poet took the matters of Fact as they came down to him, and circumstanced them after his own manner. 1713 A. Pope in Guardian 10 June 2/2 A Chapter or two of the Theory of the Conflagration, well circumstanced, and done into Verse. 1774 J. Bryant New Syst. II. 354 If we consider these articles, as they are here circumstanced. Derivatives circumstancing n. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > attention to details circumstance1509 particularity1638 minuteness1640 circumstantiality1731 circumstantialness1731 circumstancing1801 1801 Monthly Mag. 12 579 A contrived and providential circumstancing of the subjects of his attention. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.?c1225v.c1475
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circumstancen.

circumstancev.

Derivatives