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The act of reversing; complete change; reversal; hence, total change in circumstances or character; especially, a change from better to worse; misfortune; a check or defeat; as, the enemy met with a reverse. The strange reverse of fate you see; I pitied you, now you may pity me. Dryden. By a reverse of fortune, Stephen…

A total or radical change; as, a revolution in one's circumstances or way of living. The ability . . . of the great philosopher speedily produced a complete revolution throughout the department. Macaulay.

mill runs six days in the week. When we desire anything, our minds run wholly on the good circumstances of it; when it is obtained, our minds run wholly on the bad ones. Swift.

A bovine animal that can care for itself in any circumstances; also, an alert, energetic, driving person. [Slang, Western U.S.]

Freedom from agitation or excitement of mind; coolness in trying circumstances; indifference; calmness. Burke.

The place, time, circumstance, etc., in which anything occurs, or in which the action of a story, play, or the like, is laid; surroundings amid which anything is set before the imagination; place of occurence, exhibition, or action. "In Troy, there lies the scene." Shak. The world is a vast scene of strife. J. M. Mason…

Made, done, or happening by chance; arranged with little or no preparation; determined by circumstances; haphazard; as, a scratch team; a scratch crew for a boat race; a scratch shot in billiards. [Slang] Scratch race, one without restrictions regarding the entrance of competitors; also, one for which the competitors a…

e of assuming a desired position or condition with relation to other parts, under varying circumstances, without requiring to be adjusted by hand; -- said of a piece in machinery. Self-adjusting bearing (Shafting), a bearing which is supported in such a manner that it may tip to accomodate flexure or displacement of th…

Position, as regards the conditions and circumstances of the case. A situation of the greatest ease and tranquillity. Rogers.

e; unimportant; insignificant; not severe; weak; gentle; -- applied in a great variety of circumstances; as, a slight (i. e., feeble) effort; a slight (i. e., perishable) structure; a slight (i. e., not deep) impression; a slight (i. e., not convincing) argument; a slight (i. e., not thorough) examination; slight (i. e…

Any circumstance out of which money may be made or an advantage gained. [Slang] Snap back (Football), the act of snapping back the ball. -- Snap beetle, or Snap bug (Zoöl.), any beetle of the family Elateridæ, which, when laid on its back, is able to leap to a considerable height by means of a thoracic spring; -- call…

manner; as has been stated or suggested; in this or that condition or state; under these circumstances; in this way; -- with reflex reference to something just asserted or implied; used also with the verb to be, as a predicate. Use him [your tutor] with great respect yourself, and cause all your family to do so too. L…

ogy. -- Special injuction (Law), an injuction granted on special grounds, arising of the circumstances of the case. Daniell. -- Special issue (Law), an issue produced upon a special plea. Stephen. -- Special jury (Law), a jury consisting of persons of some particular calling, station, or qualification, which is call…

The circumstances or condition of a being or thing at any given time. State is a term nearly synonymous with "mode," but of a meaning more extensive, and is not exclusively limited to the mutable and contingent. Sir W. Hamilton. Declare the past and present state of things. Dryden. Keep the state of the question in you…

ssive or retrograde, as a planet. Stationary air (Physiol.), the air which under ordinary circumstances does not leave the lungs in respiration. -- Stationary engine. (a) A steam engine thet is permanently placed, in distinction from a portable engine, locomotive, marine engine, etc. Specifically: (b) A factory engine…

Difficult; distressful; straited. To make your strait circumstances yet straiter. Secker.

onditions of life; -- used chiefly in the past participle; -- as, a man straitened in his circumstances.

specially, a pinched condition or situation caused by poverty; as, the straitnessof their circumstances.

Submission under difficult or oppressive circumstances; patience; moderation. Chaucer. But hasty heat tempering with sufferance wise. Spenser.

Information without oath; an entry of a material fact or circumstance on the record for the information of the court, at the death or insolvency of a party.