3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Circumstantial  \Cir`cum*stan"tial\,  a.  [Cf.  F.  circonstanciel.] 
  1.  Consisting  in  or  pertaining  to  circumstances  or 
  particular  incidents. 
 
  The  usual  character  of  human  testimony  is 
  substantial  truth  under  circumstantial  variety. 
  --Paley. 
 
  2.  Incidental;  relating  to  but  not  essential. 
 
  We  must  therefore  distinguish  between  the  essentials 
  in  religious  worship  .  .  .  and  what  is  merely 
  circumstantial.  --Sharp. 
 
  3.  Abounding  with  circumstances;  detailing  or  exhibiting  all 
  the  circumstances;  minute;  particular. 
 
  Tedious  and  circumstantial  recitals.  --Prior. 
 
  {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}. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  circumstantial 
  adj  :  fully  detailed  and  specific  about  particulars;  "a 
  circumstantial  report  about  the  debate" 

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