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more about circumstantial
circumstantial |
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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