/ ˌsɜːkəmˈstænʃl; NAmE ˌsɜːrk-/ adjective
1.
( law ) containing information and details that strongly suggest that sth is true but do not prove it :
circumstantial evidence
The case against him was largely circumstantial.
2.
( formal ) connected with particular circumstances :
Their problems were circumstantial rather than personal.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from Latin circumstantia , ( from circumstare encircle, encompass, from circum around + stare stand) + -al .