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Webster 1913 Edition


Circumstantial

Cirˊcum-stan′tial

,
Noun.
Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance; opposed to an essential; – generally in the plural;
as, the
circumstantials
of religion
.
Addison.

Webster 1828 Edition


Circumstantial

CIRCUMSTANTIAL

, a.
1.
Attending; relating to; but not essential.
2.
Consisting in or pertaining to circumstances, or to particular incidents.
3.
Incidental; casual.
4.
Abounding with circumstances, or exhibiting all the circumstances; minute; particular; as a circumstantial account or recital.
5.
In law, circumstantial evidence is that which is obtained from circumstances, which necessarily or usually attend facts of a particular nature, from which arises presumption.

CIRCUMSTANTIAL

,
Noun.
Circumstantials, in the plural, are things incident to the main subject, but of less importance; opposed to essentials; as the circumstantials of religion.

Definition 2024


circumstantial

circumstantial

English

Adjective

circumstantial (comparative more circumstantial, superlative most circumstantial)

  1. Pertaining to or dependent on circumstances, especially as opposed to essentials; incidental, not essential.
    • Sharp
      We must therefore distinguish between the essentials in religious worship [] and what is merely circumstantial.
  2. Abounding with circumstances; detailing or exhibiting all the circumstances; minute; particular.
    • 1806, James Wilkinson, Letter to Thomas Jefferson (October 21, 1806) (part of Burr conspiracy)
      For although my information appears too direct and circumstantial to be fictitious, yet the magnitude of the enterprise, the desperation of the plan, and the stupendous consequences with which it seems pregnant, stagger my belief []
    • 2007, John Burrow, A History of Histories, Penguin 2009, p. 326:
      Second-hand but clearly from the best possible source - the King himself - [the story] is highly circumstantial, taking twenty-two pages of text.
  3. Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.
  4. (law) Suggesting guilt, but not proving it conclusively.
    It is unlikely he will be convicted; the evidence against him is circumstantial at best.

Translations

Noun

circumstantial (plural circumstantials)

  1. (chiefly in the plural) Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance.
    the circumstantials of religion

Antonyms

Translations