n. 1 the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning. 2 the circumstances relevant to something under consideration (must be seen in context). out of context without the surrounding words or circumstances and so not fully understandable. contextual adj. contextualize v.tr. (also -ise). contextualization n. contextually adv.
[ ME f. L contextus (as COM-, texere text- weave) ]