circumstantial

Adjective

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (1)

  1. fully detailed and specific about particulars“a circumstantial report about the debate”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]
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]

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