context

[ kon-tekst ]

noun

1. the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect:

   You have misinterpreted my remark because you took it out of context.

2. the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.

   Synonyms: climate, milieu, background

3. Mycology. the fleshy fibrous body of the pileus in mushrooms.

context

/ ˈkɒntɛkst /

noun

1. the parts of a piece of writing, speech, etc, that precede and follow a word or passage and contribute to its full meaning

   it is unfair to quote out of context

2. the conditions and circumstances that are relevant to an event, fact, etc

Other Words From

• context·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of context¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin contextus “a joining together, scheme, structure,” past participle of contexere “to join by weaving,” equivalent to con- con- + texere “to plait, weave”; text

Word History and Origins

Origin of context¹

C15: from Latin contextus a putting together, from contexere to interweave, from com- together + texere to weave, braid

Example Sentences

In that context, Sotto Sotto was one of the all-out survivors.

From The Daily Beast

Prevalence depends on context, and sometimes unique advantages outweigh the genetic costs.

From The Daily Beast

I recognize my inability to truly understand these events in the same context or view these events through exactly the same prism.

From The Daily Beast

Just wanted to place it in the context of slates needing picture choices that throw off revenue to make the numbers work.

From The Daily Beast

Clearly the liberation of Gross took place in the context of what might be called a “grand bargain.”

From The Daily Beast

She held it while the trooper bent over the strange scrawl, and ran his eyes along it to learn the context.

From Project Gutenberg

If the context makes an otherwise indefinite thing definite, it is sufficient.

From Project Gutenberg

The context in Chaucer does not seem to warrant the interpretation given by Tyrwhit.

From Project Gutenberg

I alter pleyneth in l. 2302 to pleyeth, to suit the context more closely.

From Project Gutenberg

The translator could think of no better word, because the context is jocular.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• background
• situation
• text