a. and sb. [f. L. circumstantia + -AL. Cf. F. circonstanciel.]
A. adj.
1. Of, relating to, or dependent on circumstances. Circumstantial evidence: indirect evidence inferred from circumstances which afford a certain presumption, or appear explainable only on one hypothesis; so The lie circumstantial (Shaks.): a contradiction given indirectly by circumstances or details.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., V. iv. 86. The counter-checke quarrelsome: and so to lye circumstantiall, and the lye direct….. I durst go no further then the lye circumstantial.
1616. S. S., Honest Lawyer, I iv b. In case of Murder, should we never iudge By circumstanciall likelihoods and presumptions, No life could be secure.
1672. Wilkins, Nat. Relig., 203. Representing God as … provoked by every little circumstantial mistake.
1736. Butler, Anal., II. vii. 272. To determine with Exactness the Weight of circumstantial Evidence.
1754. Edwards, Freed. Will, I. § 5. 30. There is a circumstantial Difference between the moral agency of a Ruler and a Subject … arising from the Difference of Circumstances.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., III. § 6. 21. We find the words of our Lord … repeated by the different Evangelists with circumstantial variations.
1863. Thoreau, Excursions, 31. Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk.
b. esp. Of circumstances as opposed to essentials: Adventitious, accidental, incidental or unimportant.
1608. Hieron, Defence, III. 48. What is accidentall, circumstantiall, and of a temporary use.
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, V. § 1. 410. Circumstantiall words, which are as bonds to knit word to word, it leaveth to be understood.
a. 1714. J. Sharp, Serm. (1735), VII. x. 218 (R.). We must therefore distinguish between … what enters the Nature of the Action, and what is merely circumstantial.
1870. Lowell, Study Wind., 225. A principle of life is the first requirement of art; all else is circumstantial and secondary.
2. Full of circumstances, details or minutiæ, minutely detailed, particular.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., V. v. 383. This fierce abridgement, Hath to it Circumstantiall branches.
1727. Swift, What passed in Lond. Rather as a sketch, than a regular circumstantial history.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), IV. 52. With the same circumstantial detail.
1790. Paley, Horæ Paul., I. 6. Contemporary accounts equally circumstantial.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. ii. 182. We cannot suppose Cavendish to have invented so circumstantial a narrative.
b. Of persons: Particular as to details (in description or narration).
1716. Addison, Free-Holder, No. 42 (1751), 250 (Seager). We cannot be too minute and circumstantial in Accounts of this nature.
1741. Walpole, Lett. H. Mann, 24 Dec. Tell me … if I am too circumstantial.
1841. Borrow, Zincali, I. 255. I have already been more circumstantial and particular than the case required.
1873. Burton, Hist. Scot., VI. lxxii. 301. The circumstantial Baillie having accompanied the host.
3. Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.
1710. Pope, Lett. Cromw., 12 Oct. He will be content to … leave all the circumstantial part and pomp of life to those, who [etc.].
1847. De Quincey, Sp. Mil. Nun, § 20 (1853), 65. Where … the marriage ceremony could be performed with more circumstantial splendour.
4. Of persons: ? Distinguished merely by the ‘pomp and circumstance’ of their position.
1648–9. Milton, Tenure Kings, 24. Petty caveats, and circumstances … ever stood upon most by circumstantial men.
1830. Fraser’s Mag., I. 736. The moral man is nothing—the circumstantial man, or the man in power, every thing.
5. Pertaining to circumstances of material welfare.
[1702. S. Parker, trans. Cicero’s De Fin., 342. Prosperous or Adverse Fortune, External or Circumstantial Good and Ill.]
1809–10. Coleridge, Friend (1865), 148. Our political strength and circumstantial prosperity. Ibid. (1816–7), Lay Serm., 394. The wealth and circumstantial prosperity of the nation.
1858. J. G. Holland, Titcomb’s Lett., iv. 120. He has not so many attractions, personal or circumstantial, as others.
† 6. Standing around, surrounding. Obs.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 70. Not only in the Ball or Apple of the Eye, but of the circumstantial parts of the Eye-lids, Hairs, and Eye-brows.
B. sb. (pl.) Circumstantial matters; particulars, details, attendant circumstances.
1647. Sprigge, Anglia Rediv., IV. ix. (1854), 302. Anything … wanting circumstantials, for the better performing of the things intended therein.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), III. 359. Clogged with too many circumstantials.
1877. Masson, Milton (Globe ed.), 457. Perhaps he remembered the exact incident and its circumstantials with half a blush.
b. esp. Incidental or adventitious features, non-essentials.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., vi. 195. The difference … seems rather to lie in circumstantials than in any thing essential.
1775. Harris, Philos. Arrangem. (1841), 256. Each possesses its proper attributes, and is at the same time encompassed with certain circumstantials.
1788. Wesley, Wks. (1872), VI. 263. Ye fools and blind! to fix your whole attention on the circumstantials of religion!
1843. G. Dodds, Fareweil Disc. We should then learn the difference between substantials and circumstantials.
† c. rarely sing.
1646. Gillespie, Malè Audis, 26. Is the Sabbath onely a circumstantiall of time contra-distinct from matters of duty?
