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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Under the circumstances

circumstance \cir"cum*stance\ (s[~e]r"k[u^]m*st[a^]ns), 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.

WordNet
under the circumstances

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

Usage examples of "under the circumstances".

Lucy answered as gently and kindly as was possible for her, under the circumstances, but she could not be changed.