'Circumstantial evidence' definitions:

Definition of 'circumstantial evidence'

noun

Evidence providing only a basis for inference about the fact in dispute [syn: circumstantial evidence, indirect evidence] [ant: direct evidence]

From: GCIDE

Evidence \Ev"i*dence\, n. [F. ['e]vidence, L. Evidentia. See Evident.]
1. That which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgement; as, the evidence of our senses; evidence of the truth or falsehood of a statement. [1913 Webster]
Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen. --Heb. xi. 1. [1913 Webster]
O glorious trial of exceeding love Illustrious evidence, example high. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
2. One who bears witness. [R.] "Infamous and perjured evidences." --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]
3. (Law) That which is legally submitted to competent tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation before it; means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking, not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect of it. --Greenleaf. [1913 Webster]
Circumstantial evidence, Conclusive evidence, etc. See under Circumstantial, Conclusive, etc.
Crown's evidence, King's evidence, or Queen's evidence, evidence for the crown, in English courts; equivalent to state's evidence in American courts. [Eng.]
State's evidence, evidence for the government or the people. [U. S. ]
To turn King's evidence To turn Queen's evidence, or {To turn State's evidence}, to confess a crime and give evidence against one's accomplices.
Syn: Testimony; proof. See Testimony. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

circumstantial \cir`cum*stan"tial\ (s[~e]r`k[u^]m*st[a^]n"shal), a. [Cf. F. circonstanciel.] [1913 Webster]
1. Consisting in, or pertaining to, circumstances or particular incidents. [1913 Webster]
The usual character of human testimony is substantial truth under circumstantial variety. --Paley. [1913 Webster]
2. Incidental; relating to, but not essential. [1913 Webster]
We must therefore distinguish between the essentials in religious worship . . . and what is merely circumstantial. --Sharp. [1913 Webster]
3. Abounding with circumstances; detailing or exhibiting all the circumstances; minute; particular. [1913 Webster]
Tedious and circumstantial recitals. --Prior. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]