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

Related Words

• background
• situation
• text