context

con-text · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The circumstances that form the setting for an event or statement and help in understanding it.

  2. 2.

    The parts of a text that surround a word or passage and help clarify its meaning.

Forms

plural: contexts

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    in context — within the surrounding circumstances
  • •
    out of context — without the necessary background information
  • •
    in the context of — considering the circumstances of
  • •
    historical context — the historical background

Related words

See also: background, circumstances, setting
Synonyms: background, circumstances, framework, setting

Etymology

From Latin "contextus" meaning a joining together, from "contexere" (to weave together), from "com-" (together) and "texere" (to weave).