conditions: The conditions are ripe for the spread of disease.
situation: She's in a hopeless situation.
scenario: In the worst-case scenario, you could become a homeless person.
cir|cum|stan|tial /sɜː r kəmstæ nʃ ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Circumstantial evidence is evidence that makes it seem likely that something happened, but does not prove it. [FORMAL ] □ There is no conclusive proof, but there is a lot of circumstantial evidence.
cir|cum|vent /sɜː r kəmve nt/ (circumvents , circumventing , circumvented ) VERB If someone circumvents a rule or restriction, they avoid having to obey the rule or restriction, in a clever and perhaps dishonest way. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Military planners tried to circumvent the treaty.
cir|cus /sɜː r kəs/ (circuses )
1 N‑COUNT A circus is a group that consists of clowns, acrobats, and animals which travels around to different places and performs shows. □ My real ambition was to work in a circus. □ …circus performers. ● N‑SING The circus is the show performed by these people. □ My dad took me to the circus.
2 N‑SING If you describe a group of people or an event as a circus , you disapprove of them because they attract a lot of attention but do not achieve anything useful. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It could well turn into some kind of a media circus.
cir|rho|sis /s I roʊ s I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Cirrhosis or cirrhosis of the liver is a disease which destroys a person's liver and which can kill them. It is often caused by drinking too much alcohol.
cis|sy /s I si/ → see sissy
cis|tern /s I stə r n/ (cisterns )
1 N‑COUNT A cistern is a container which stores the water supply for a building, or that holds the water for flushing a toilet. [mainly BRIT ] in AM, usually use tank 2 N‑COUNT A cistern is a container for storing rain water. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, usually use water butt
cita|del /s I təd ə l/ (citadels )
1 N‑COUNT In the past, a citadel was a strong building in or near a city, where people could shelter for safety. □ The citadel at Besançon towered above the river.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a system or organization as a citadel of a particular way of life, usually one you disapprove of, you mean that it is powerful and effective in defending that way of life. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] The business is no longer regarded as a citadel of commerce.
ci|ta|tion /sa I te I ʃ ə n/ (citations )
1 N‑COUNT A citation is an official document or speech which praises a person for something brave or special that they have done. □ His citation says he showed outstanding and exemplary courage.
2 N‑COUNT A citation from a book or other piece of writing is a passage or phrase from it. [FORMAL ]
3 N‑COUNT A citation is the same as a summons . [AM ] □ The court could issue a citation and fine Ms. Robbins.
cite ◆◇◇ /sa I t/ (cites , citing , cited )
1 VERB If you cite something, you quote it or mention it, especially as an example or proof of what you are saying. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] She cites a favourite poem by George Herbert. □ [V n + as ] I am merely citing his reaction as typical of British industry. □ [be V -ed + as ] Spain was cited as the most popular holiday destination.
2 VERB To cite a person means to officially name them in a legal case. To cite a reason or cause means to state it as the official reason for your case. □ [V n] They cited Alex's refusal to return to the marital home. □ [be V -ed for v-ing] Three admirals and a top Navy civilian will be cited for failing to act on reports of sexual assaults.
3 VERB If someone is cited , they are officially ordered to appear before a court. [AM , LEGAL ] □ [V n] The judge ruled a mistrial and cited the prosecutors for outrageous misconduct. in BRIT, use be summonsed SYNONYMS cite VERB 1
quote: He quoted statistics saying that the standard of living had fallen.
name: She was jailed for refusing to name a source.
mention: Ferguson was mentioned in the report as being directly responsible.
specify: He has not specified what action he would like them to take.
citi|zen ◆◆◇ /s I t I z ə n/ (citizens )
1 N‑COUNT Someone who is a citizen of a particular country is legally accepted as belonging to that country. □ …American citizens. □ The life of ordinary citizens began to change.
2 N‑COUNT The citizens of a town or city are the people who live there. □ [+ of ] …the citizens of Buenos Aires.
3 → see also senior citizen
4 ADJ You describe someone as a citizen journalist or a citizen scientist, for example, when they are an ordinary person with no special training who does something that is usually done by professionals. □ Several reports are coming from citizen journalists in the area.
citi|zen|ry /s I t I z ə nri/ N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] The people living in a country, state, or city can be referred to as the citizenry . [AM , also BRIT , FORMAL ] □ He used the medium of radio when he wanted to reassure the citizenry.
Ci ti|zens' Band N‑PROPER [oft N n] Citizens' Band is a range of radio frequencies which the general public is allowed to use to send messages to each other and is used especially by truck drivers in their vehicles. The abbreviation CB is often used. □ …Citizens' Band radios.