circumstantial
UK/sɜːkəm'stænʃ(ə)l/US/.sә:kәm'stænʃәl/
GREC2
Definitions
adj.
(of evidence) pointing to a conclusion indirectly, by inference rather than direct proof.
（证据）间接的，旁证的
adj.
Depending on or relating to particular circumstances.
依情况而定的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcircumstancecircle, ring, around
+
-ialsuffix
=circumstantial
circumstance + -ial = relating to the surrounding circumstances. The key legal sense follows directly: circumstantial evidence doesn't prove guilt directly — it's the surrounding facts (the 'things standing around') from which guilt is inferred.
Common Collocations
- 1.circumstantial evidence间接证据
- 2.purely circumstantial纯属间接
Example Sentences
- 1.
The conviction rested entirely on circumstantial evidence.
- 2.
There was no direct proof, only a chain of circumstantial details.