circumstantial
UK /səːkəmˈstanʃəl/ · US /səɹ.kəmˈstænʃəl/ adjective, noun
Forms circumstantials
- adjective Pertaining to or dependent on circumstances, especially as opposed to essentials; incidental, not essential.
- adjective (law) Involving evidence that relies on inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact, thus, suggesting guilt but not directly proving it. “It is unlikely he will be convicted; the evidence against him is circumstantial at best.”
- adjective Abounding with minor circumstances; in great detail; particular.
- adjective Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.
- noun (chiefly in the plural) Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance. “the circumstantials of religion”
- noun (grammar) An adjunct or circumstant.
Synonyms
accidental coincidental coinstantial contingent happenstantial incidental secondary
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin circumstantia + English -al, equivalent to circumstance + -ial.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Consisting in, or pertaining to, circumstances or particular incidents.
- adjective Incidental; relating to, but not essential.
- 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.
Etymology [Cf. F. circonstanciel.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “circumstantial”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details