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e general rule or form, in the way of either restriction or enlargement, according to the circumstances of the case, as in the will of a donor, an agreement between parties, and the like. Bracton.

essential element; a deciding point, fact, or consideration; an essential or influential circumstance.

Limited as to means; straitened; pinching; as, narrow circumstances.

One's birth, or the circumstances attending it. [Obs.] Fitz- Geffry.

Of or pertaining to one's birth; natal; belonging to the place or the circumstances in which one is born; -- opposed to foreign; as, native land, language, color, etc.

The coming into life or into the world; birth; also, the circumstances attending birth, as time, place, manner, etc. Chaucer. I have served him from the hour of my nativity. Shak. Thou hast left ... the land of thy nativity. Ruth ii. 11. These in their dark nativity the deep Shall yield us, pregnant with infernal flame…

as, the natural consequence of crime; a natural death. What can be more natural than the circumstances in the behavior of those women who had lost their husbands on this fatal day Addison.

Narrow; destitute; pinching; pinched; as, necessitous circumstances. -- Ne*ces"si*tous*ly, adv. -- Ne*ces"si*tous*ness, n.

The omission of the care usual under the circumstances, being convertible with the Roman culpa. A specialist is bound to higher skill and diligence in his specialty than one who is not a specialist, and liability for negligence varies acordingly. Contributory negligence. See under Contributory.

Not remote in degree, kindred, circumstances, etc.; closely allied; intimate. "Nigh kinsmen." Knolles. Ye ... are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph. ii. 13.

to; as, to notice a book. This plant deserves to be noticed in this place. Tooke. Another circumstance was noticed in connection with the suggestion last discussed. Sir W. Hamilton.

In present circumstances; things being as they are; -- hence, used as a connective particle, to introduce an inference or an explanation. How shall any man distinguish now betwixt a parasite and a man of honor L'Estrange. Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is Shak. Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man,…

nce. [Obs.] We are to procure dispensation or leave to omit the observation of it in such circumstances. Jer. Taylor.

the occasional origin of a thing. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. Occasional cause (Metaph.), some circumstance preceding an effect which, without being the real cause, becomes the occasion of the action of the efficient cause; thus, the act of touching gunpowder with fire is the occasional, but not the efficient, cause of an e…

The art or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances, or of seeking immediate advantage with little regard for ultimate consequences. [Recent]

In different circumstances; under other conditions; as, I am engaged, otherwise I would accept.

That which is overthwart; an adverse circumstance; opposition. [Obs.] Surrey.

The doctrine of the widespread distribution of germs, from which under favorable circumstances bacteria, vibrios, etc., may develop.

Equality of condition or circumstances. At par, at the original price; neither at a discount nor at a premium. -- Above par, at a premium. -- Below par, at a discount. -- On a par, on a level; in the same condition, circumstances, position, rank, etc.; as, their pretensions are on a par; his ability is on a par with…

A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or item, which may be considered separately; as, the particulars of a story. Particulars which it is not lawful for me to reveal. Bacon. It is the greatest interest of particulars to advance the good of the co…