Okolností

Okolností is the genitive plural form of the Czech noun okolnost, which means circumstance, condition, or factor accompanying a situation. The singular okolnost denotes a specific fact or element that surrounds or influences an event, while the plural okolnosti refers to multiple such factors. The form okolností is used in contexts where the phrase means “of the circumstances” or appears in expressions discussing specific contextual factors.

In everyday language, okolnost describes the contextual aspects that can affect interpretation or outcomes, such as timing, location, intentions, or external conditions. Common phrases include za těchto okolností (under these circumstances) and v souvislosti s okolnostmi (in relation to the circumstances). The concept emphasizes context rather than inherent properties of objects or actions.

In legal writing, okolnosti are often crucial for assessing culpability, liability, or legality. Legal phrases such as okolnosti vylučující protiprávnost (circumstances excluding illegality) or okolnosti skutku (circumstances of the act) illustrate how surrounding facts can modify judgments, penalties, or conclusions. The term thus functions to frame decisions within the broader factual context of a case.

Etymology traces okolnost to okolí (surroundings) with the suffix -nost, forming an abstract noun. Related terms include okolnost (singular), situace (situation), and podmínky (conditions). The word appears across disciplines—law, journalism, philosophy—to express the importance of contextual factors in understanding events and statements.