surroundings

1 the environmental condition [syn: milieu]

2 the area in which something exists or lives; "the country--the flat agricultural surround" [syn: environment, environs, surround]

English

Noun

surroundings

1. Plural of surrounding
2. the area surrounding someone or something, together with the objects and circumstances in the vicinity; the environment or ambiance
3. All parts of the universe that are not within the thermodynamic system of interest.

Translations

Surroundings are the area around a given physical or geographical point or place. The exact definition depends on the field. Surroundings can also be used in geography (when it is more precisely known as vicinity, or vicinage) and mathematics, as well as philosophy, with the literal or metaphorically extended definition.

However, in thermodynamics, the term as a slightly more exact use: surroundings are seen as a medium for the exchange of materials or energy, and can be considered as an open system.

See also:

• Neighborhood (mathematics)
• environment/milieu
• ambience
• proximity

alentours, ambience, ambit, borderlands, circle, circuit, circumambiencies, circumjacencies, circumstances, compass, context, entourage, environing circumstances, environment, environs, gestalt, habitat, milieu, neighborhood, outposts, outskirts, perimeter, periphery, precincts, purlieus, situation, suburbs, total environment, vicinage, vicinity