circumstantial (serkumstanshal)

and n. [= F. cir const an ciel = Sp. circunstancial = Pg. circumstancial, This is an attempt to separate what is substantial and material from what is circumstantial and usele in history. Goldsmith, The Martial Review, Pref. All that is merely circumstantial shall be subordinated to and in keeping with what is e ential. J. Caird. 2. Consisting in, pertaining to, or derived from circumstances or particular incidents: as, cir cumstantial evidence. The usual character of human testimony is substantial truth under circumstantial variety. Paley . IMG:content-0464.png:[blocks in formation] circumstantiality (sér-kum-stan-shi-al'i-ti), n.; pl. circumstantialities (-tiz). [ the circumstantiality of a story or description. From the circumstantiality [of Homer's account of killing wild goat), it is evident that some honour attach ed to the sportsman who had succeeded in such a capture. De Quincey, Homer, ii. 2. A circumstance; a particular detail. The deep impre ion of so memorable a tragedy had car ried into popular remembrance vast numbers of special ties and circumstantialities. De Quincey, Homer, iii. circumstantially (sér-kum-stan's hal-i), adv. 1. In regard to circumstances; not e entially; accidentally. [Rare.] Of the fancy and intellect the powers are only circum stantially different. Glanville, Scep. Sci. 2. Minutely; exactly; with every circumstance or particular. To set down somewhat circumstantially not only the events but the manner of my trials. Boyle , Works, II. 470.