early 13c., "conditions surrounding and accompanying an event," from Old French circonstance "circumstance, situation," also literally, "outskirts" (13c., Modern French circonstance), from Latin circumstantia "surrounding condition," neuter plural of circumstans (genitive circumstantis), present participle of circumstare "stand around, surround, encompass, occupy, take possession of" from circum "around" (see circum-) + stare "to stand" from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). The Latin word is a loan-translation of Greek peristasis.
Meaning "a person's surroundings, environment" is from mid-14c. Meaning "a detail" is from c. 1300; sense of "that which is non-essential" is from 1590s. Obsolete sense of "formality about an important event" (late 14c.) lingers in Shakespeare's phrase pomp and circumstance ("Othello" III, iii).
实用例句
1. You might say that we've been victims of circumstance.
你可以说我们一直不走运吧。
来自柯林斯例句
2. There are those, you know, who, by circumstance, end up homeless.
您知道，会有那么一些人，因为命运捉弄而落得无家可归。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Any unexpected circumstance that arises may catalyze a sudden escalation of violence.
任何突如其来的情况都可能造成暴力骤然升级。
来自柯林斯例句
4. You should soon accommodate yourself to the new circumstance.
你应尽快适应新环境.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. There is one important circumstance you have not mentioned.
