Cir"cum*stance (?), n. [L.
circumstantia, fr. circumstans, -antis, p.
pr. of circumstare to stand around; circum + stare
to stand. See Stand.] 1. That which
attends, or relates to, or in some way affects, a fact or event;
an attendant thing or state of things.
The circumstances are well known in the
country where they happened.
W. Irving.
2. An event; a fact; a particular
incident.
The sculptor had in his thoughts the conqueror
weeping for new worlds, or the like circumstances in
history.
Addison.
3. Circumlocution; detail.
[Obs.]
So without more circumstance at all
I hold it fit that we shake hands and part.
Shak.
4. pl. Condition in regard to
worldly estate; state of property; situation;
surroundings.
When men are easy in their circumstances,
they are naturally enemies to innovations.
Addison.
Not a circumstance, of no account.
[Colloq.] -- Under the circumstances,
taking all things into consideration.
Syn. -- Event; occurrence; incident; situation;
condition; position; fact; detail; item. See Event.
Cir"cum*stance, v. t. To place
in a particular situation; to supply relative
incidents.
The poet took the matters of fact as they came
down to him and circumstanced them, after his own
manner.
Addison.
