a. and sb. Obs. [ad. L. circumstant-em pr. pple. of circumstāre to stand around.]

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  A.  adj.

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  1.  Standing around, surrounding, circumjacent.

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1545.  Raynold, Byrth Mankynde, I. x. (1634), 37. The circumstant cold ayre.

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1636.  Healey, Theophrast., xiii. Impert. Diligence, 54. Turning himselfe to the circumstant multitude.

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1650.  Bulwer, Anthropomet., 47. The braine and the circumstant parts.

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1650.  Baxter, Saints’ R., II. x. (1662), 279.

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1666.  J. Sergeant, Letter of Thanks, 39. Constant Practice of the circumstant Faithfull.

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  2.  Pertaining as a circumstance; incidental, attendant.

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1563–83.  Foxe, A. & M., x. Pref. 1404. Such trinckets as were to the foresaid Masse apperteining or circumstant.

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1617.  Collins, Def. Bp. Ely, I. v. 220. Miracles come from no inhærent power … from a circumstant rather, or an attendant.

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1656.  [? J. Sergeant], trans. T. White’s Peripat. Inst., 75. The circumstant causes.

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  3.  Circumspect, cautious. rare. [So med.L. circumstans.]

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1603.  Knolles, Hist. Turks (1638), 248. Aduising him to be very circumstant in his marching.

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  B.  sb. pl. Persons standing round or about, bystanders.

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1494.  Fabyan, V. cxxxi. 114. Noon of ye circumstauntis, by neglygence, gaue answere vnto the bysshop.

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1577.  Hellowes, Gueuara’s Chron., 424. He threwe amongst the circumstants, a great summe of money.

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1675.  Burthogge, Causa Dei, 126. The circumstants and standers by.

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