adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ s ə r-k ə m- ' stan(t)-sh ə l
Function: adjective
Date: 1600
1 : belonging to, consisting in, or dependent on circumstances <a circumstantial case> < circumstantial factors>
2 : pertinent but not essential : INCIDENTAL
3 : marked by careful attention to detail : abounding in factual details <a circumstantial account of the fight>
4 : CEREMONIAL
– cir · cum · stan · ti · al · i · ty \ - ˌ stan(t)-sh ē - ' a-l ə -t ē \ noun
– cir · cum · stan · tial · ly \ - ' stan(t)-sh( ə -)l ē \ adverb
synonyms CIRCUMSTANTIAL , MINUTE , PARTICULAR , DETAILED mean dealing with a matter fully and usually point by point. CIRCUMSTANTIAL implies fullness of detail that fixes something described in time and space <a circumstantial account of our visit>. MINUTE implies close and searching attention to the smallest details <a minute examination of a fossil>. PARTICULAR implies a precise attention to every detail <a particular description of the scene of the crime>. DETAILED stresses abundance or completeness of detail <a detailed analysis of the event>.