context

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒntɛkst/

noun

  • the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood: the proposals need to be considered in the context of new European directives
  • the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning: skilled readers use context to construct meaning from words as they are read

Phrases

in context

considered together with the surrounding words or circumstances: the complex meaning of irony is only graspable in context

out of context

without the surrounding words or circumstances and so not fully understandable: the article portrayed her as domineering by dropping quotes from her out of context

Derivatives

contextual

Pronunciation: /kənˈtɛkstjʊəl/
adjective

contextually

Pronunciation: /kənˈtɛkstjʊəli/
adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting the construction of a text): from Latin contextus, from con- 'together' + texere 'to weave'