rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycircumstanceSurrounding condition
noun

circumstance

SUR-kuhm-stans/ˈsɜːrkəmstæns/

A fact or condition that affects a situation.

The flooded path is a circumstance that changes their route.

A flooded footpath prevents two walkers from continuing: the waterlogged route is a visible condition affecting their outing.
Etymology
circumLatinaround
+stanceLatinto stand

The image is of things “standing around” an event: its surrounding conditions. A circumstance is thus a fact that affects a situation without being its essential core.

In context

AncestryFoundation19:33
in a normal circumstance you don't want anything in your subepithelial space in fact you want your you want that space to be gone
AHS12 Peter Attia, MD — The Straight Dope on Cholesterol

More examples

  • Several circumstances delayed us.
  • Under that circumstance, she agreed.
  • He considered every circumstance.

Forms

circumstance · circumstances

Similar words

condition
A factor affecting a situation.
situation
The overall state of affairs rather than one contributing fact.