cir·cum·stance n.
 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.

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 under the circumstances
      adv : because of prevailing conditions; "under the circumstances I
            cannot buy the house"