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circumstance (L. circum, around, and sto, stand), is something existing or occurring in connection with or
relation to some other fact or event, modifying or throwing light upon the principal matter without affecting
its essential character; an accompaniment is something that unites with the principal matter, tho not necessary
to it; as, the piano accompaniment to a song; a concomitant goes with a thing in natural connection, but in a
subordinate capacity, or perhaps in contrast; as, cheerfulness is a concomitant of virtue. A circumstance is not
strictly, nor usually, an occasion, condition, effect, or result. (See these words under CAUSE.) Nor is the
circumstance properly an incident. (See under ACCIDENT.) We say, "My decision will depend upon
circumstances"--not "upon incidents." That a man wore a blue necktie would not probably be the cause,
occasion, condition, or concomitant of his committing murder; but it might be a very important circumstance
in identifying him as the murderer. All the circumstances make up the situation. A certain disease is the cause
of a man's death; his suffering is an incident; that he is in his own home, that he has good medical attendance,
careful nursing, etc., are consolatory circumstances. With the same idea of subordination, we often say, "This
is not a circumstance to that." So a person is said to be in easy circumstances. Compare EVENT.
Prepositions:
"Mere situation is expressed by 'in the circumstances'; action affected is performed 'under the circumstances.'"
[M.]
* * * * *
CLASS.
Synonyms:
association, circle, clique, company, grade, rank, caste, clan, club, coterie, order, set.
A class is a number or body of persons or objects having common pursuits, purposes, attributes, or
characteristics. A caste is hereditary; a class may be independent of lineage or descent; membership in a caste
is supposed to be for life; membership in a class may be very transient; a religious and ceremonial sacredness
attaches to the caste, as not to the class. The rich and the poor form separate classes; yet individuals are
constantly passing from each to the other; the classes in a college remain the same, but their membership
changes every year. We speak of rank among hereditary nobility or military officers; of various orders of the
priesthood; by accommodation, we may refer in a general way to the higher ranks, the lower orders of any
society. Grade implies some regular scale of valuation, and some inherent qualities for which a person or
thing is placed higher or lower in the scale; as, the coarser and finer grades of wool; a man of an inferior
grade. A coterie is a small company of persons of similar tastes, who meet frequently in an informal way,
rather for social enjoyment than for any serious purpose. Clique has always an unfavorable meaning. A clique
is always fractional, implying some greater gathering of which it is a part; the association breaks up into
cliques. Persons unite in a coterie through simple liking for one another; they withdraw into a clique largely
through aversion to outsiders. A set, while exclusive, is more extensive than a clique, and chiefly of persons
who are united by common social station, etc. Circle is similar in meaning to set, but of wider application; we
speak of scientific and religious as well as of social circles.
Prepositions:
A class of merchants; the senior class at (sometimes of) Harvard; the classes in college.
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Synonyms and Antonyms, by James Champlin Fernald
92
CLEANSE.
Synonyms:
brush, dust, purify, scour, sponge, wash, clean, lave, rinse, scrub, sweep, wipe. disinfect, mop,
To clean is to make clean by removing dirt, impurities, or soil of any kind. Cleanse implies a worse condition
to start from, and more to do, than clean. Hercules cleansed the Augean stables. Cleanse is especially applied
to purifying processes where liquid is used, as in the flushing of a street, etc. We brush clothing if dusty,
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