circumstantiality

[ sur-kuh m-stan-shee-al-i-tee ]

/ ˌsɜr kəmˌstæn ʃiˈæl ɪ ti /

the quality of being circumstantial; minuteness; fullness of detail.

a circumstance; a detail.

Psychiatry. a pattern of speech that seems to wander because of excessive detail but eventuallyreaches its goal idea.

Origin of circumstantiality

First recorded in 1725–35; circumstantial + -ity

Obviously intentional, too, for the circumstantiality excluded the idea of a mistake.

The Uttermost Farthing |R. Austin Freeman
The account of the conception and birth of Servius Tullius is curious from its circumstantiality.

Ancient Faiths And Modern |Thomas Inman
Also he had upheld his lies with a striking narrative of circumstantiality.

The Money Master, Complete |Gilbert Parker
With what circumstantiality could they recall old law cases; describe old duels, old political animosities and excitements!

Plantation Reminiscences |Letitia M. Burwell

With what circumstantiality could they recall old law cases, and describe old duels, old political animosities and excitements!

A Girl's Life in Virginia before the War |Letitia M. Burwell

circumstantiality

[ sûr′kəm-stăn′shē-ăl′ĭ-tē ]

A disturbance in the thought process by detail that is often tangential and irrelevant.