Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CIR'CUM-STANCE, n. [L. circumstantia, from circumstans, standing about; circum and sto, to stand. Literally, that which stands around or near. Hence,]

1. Something attending, appendant, or relative to a fact, or case; a particular thing, which, though not essential to an action, in some way affects it; the same to a moral action, as accident to a natural substance; as, the circumstances of time, place, and persons, are to be considered.
2. The adjuncts of which make it more or less criminal, or make an accusation more or less probable; accident; something adventitious; incident; event. – Johnson.
3. Circumstances, in the plural, condition, in regard to worldly estate; state of property; as, a man in low circumstances or in easy circumstances.