Part 256

Cir`cum*stan"tial (?), a. [Cf. F. circonstanciel.]

1. Consisting in, or pertaining to, circumstances or particular incidents.

The usual character of human testimony is substantial truth under circumstantial variety. Paley.

2. Incidental; relating to, but not essential.

We must therefore distinguish between the essentials in religious worship . . . and what is merely circumstantial. Sharp.

3. Abounding with circumstances; detailing or exhibiting all the circumstances; minute; particular.

Tedious and circumstantial recitals. Prior.

Circumstantial evidence (Law), evidence obtained from circumstances, which necessarily or usually attend facts of a particular nature, from which arises presumption. According to some authorities circumstantial is distinguished from positive evidence in that the latter is the testimony of eyewitnesses to a fact or the admission of a party; but the prevalent opinion now is that all such testimony is dependent on circumstances for its support. All testimony is more or less circumstantial. Wharton.

Syn. -- See Minute.

Cir`cum*stan"tial, n. Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance; opposed to an essential; -- generally in the plural; as, the circumstantials of religion. Addison.

Cir`cum*stan`ti*al"i*ty (?), n. The state, characteristic, or quality of being circumstantial; particularity or minuteness of detail. "I will endeavor to describe with sufficient circumstantiality." De Quincey.

Cir`cum*stan"tial*ly (?), adv. 1. In respect to circumstances; not essentially; accidentally.

Of the fancy and intellect, the powers are only circumstantially different. Glanvill.

2. In every circumstance or particular; minutely.

To set down somewhat circumstantially, not only the events, but the manner of my trials. Boyle.

Cir`cum*stan"ti*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Circumstantiated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Circumstantiating (?).] [See Circumstantiating (&?;).]

1. To place in particular circumstances; to invest with particular accidents or adjuncts. [R.]

If the act were otherwise circumstantiated, it might will that freely which now it wills reluctantly. Bramhall.

2. To prove or confirm by circumstances; to enter into details concerning.

Neither will time permint to circumstantiate these particulars, which I have only touched in the general. State Trials (1661).

Cir`cum*ter*ra"ne*ous (?), a. [Pref. circum- + L. terra earth.] Being or dwelling around the earth. "Circumterraneous demouns." H. Hallywell.

Cir`cum*un"du*late (?), v. t. [Pref. circum- + undulate.] To flow round, as waves. [R.]

Cir`cum*val"late (?), v. t. [L. circumvallatus, p. p. of circumvallare to surround with a wall; circum + vallare to wall, fr. vallum rampart.] To surround with a rampart or wall. Johnson.

Cir`cum*val"late (?), a. 1. Surrounded with a wall; inclosed with a rampart.

2. (Anat.) Surrounded by a ridge or elevation; as, the circumvallate papillŠ, near the base of the tongue.

Cir`cum*val*la"tion (?), n. (Mil.) (a) The act of surrounding with a wall or rampart. (b) A line of field works made around a besieged place and the besieging army, to protect the camp of the besiegers against the attack of an enemy from without.

Cir`cum*vec"tion (?), n. [L. circumvectio; circum + vehere to carry.] The act of carrying anything around, or the state of being so carried.

Cir`cum*vent" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Circumvented; p. pr. vb. n. Circumventing.] [L. circumventis, p. p. of circumvenire, to come around, encompass, deceive; circum + venire to come, akin to E. come.] To gain advantage over by arts, stratagem, or deception; to decieve; to delude; to get around.