circumstantial

circumstantial
circumstantial cir`cum*stan"tial (s[~e]r`k[u^]m*st[a^]n"shal), a. [Cf. F. circonstanciel.] [1913 Webster] 1. Consisting in, or pertaining to, circumstances or particular incidents. [1913 Webster]

The usual character of human testimony is substantial truth under circumstantial variety. --Paley. [1913 Webster]

2. Incidental; relating to, but not essential. [1913 Webster]

We must therefore distinguish between the essentials in religious worship . . . and what is merely circumstantial. --Sharp. [1913 Webster]

3. Abounding with circumstances; detailing or exhibiting all the circumstances; minute; particular. [1913 Webster]

Tedious and circumstantial recitals. --Prior. [1913 Webster]

{Circumstantial evidence} (Law), evidence obtained from circumstances, which necessarily or usually attend facts of a particular nature, from which arises presumption. According to some authorities circumstantial is distinguished from positive evidence in that the latter is the testimony of eyewitnesses to a fact or the admission of a party; but the prevalent opinion now is that all such testimony is dependent on circumstances for its support. All testimony is more or less circumstantial. --Wharton.

Syn: See {Minute}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • circumstanţial — CIRCUMSTANŢIÁL, Ă, circumstanţiale, adj. (În sintagmele) Complement circumstanţial = complement care arată în ce împrejurări se petrece o acţiune sau cum se prezintă o însuşire sau o acţiune. Propoziţie circumstanţială = propoziţie secundară care …   Dicționar Român

  • circumstantial — circumstantial, minute, particular, particularized, detailed, itemized are comparable when they mean dealing with a matter point by point. Circumstantial applies especially to accounts of events or to narratives, but it is applicable also to the… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • circumstantial — cir·cum·stan·tial /ˌsər kəm stan chəl/ adj: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances cir·cum·stan·tial·ly adv Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • Circumstantial — may refer to: Circumstantial evidence, in law Circumstantial thinking, in psychiatry and psychopathology Circumstantial voice, in linguistics This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an …   Wikipedia

  • circumstantial — (adj.) c.1600, from L. circumstantia (see CIRCUMSTANCE (Cf. circumstance)) + AL (Cf. al) (1). Circumstantial evidence is attested by 1736 …   Etymology dictionary

  • Circumstantial — Cir cum*stan tial, n. Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance; opposed to an essential; generally in the plural; as, the circumstantials of religion. Addison. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • circumstantial — [adj] incidental amplified, coincidental, concomitant, concurrent, conjectural, contingent, detailed, environmental, fortuitous, inconclusive, indirect, inferential, presumptive, provisional, uncertain; concepts 556,582,653 Ant. direct …   New thesaurus

  • circumstantial — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of evidence) consisting of facts that strongly suggest something, but do not provide conclusive proof. 2) containing full details. DERIVATIVES circumstantiality noun circumstantially adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • circumstantial — [sʉr΄kəm stan′shəl] adj. 1. having to do with, or depending on, circumstances 2. not of primary importance; incidental 3. full or complete in detail 4. full of pomp or display; ceremonial circumstantially adv …   English World dictionary

  • circumstantial — adjective Date: 1600 1. belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances < a circumstantial case > < circumstantial factors > 2. pertinent but not essential ; incidental 3. marked by c …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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