Dictionary
circumstantial
adjective cir·cum·stan·tial \ˌsər-kəm-ˈstan(t)-shəl\
law : based on information which suggests that something is true but does not prove that it is true
: providing or including the details of a particular situation or event
Full Definition of CIRCUMSTANTIAL
1
: belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances <a circumstantial case> <circumstantial factors>
2
: pertinent but not essential : incidental
3
: marked by careful attention to detail : abounding in factual details <a circumstantial account of the fight>
4
— cir·cum·stan·ti·al·i·ty \-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē\ noun
— cir·cum·stan·tial·ly \-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb
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First Known Use of CIRCUMSTANTIAL
1600
Related to CIRCUMSTANTIAL
- Synonyms
- blow-by-blow, detailed, elaborate, full, minute, particular, particularized, thorough
- Antonyms
- compendious, summary
Synonym Discussion of CIRCUMSTANTIAL
circumstantial, minute, particular, detailed mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point. circumstantial implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space <a circumstantial account of our visit>. minute implies close and searching attention to the smallest details <a minute examination of a fossil>. particular implies a precise attention to every detail <a particular description of the scene of the crime>. detailed stresses abundance or completeness of detail <a detailed analysis of the event>.
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