different between respective vs circumstantial

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin respectivus, from Latin respectus. Equivalent to respect +? -ive.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???sp?kt?v/
• Rhymes: -?kt?v
• Hyphenation: re?spec?tive

Adjective

respective (not comparable)

1. Relating to particular persons or things, each to each; particular; own.

   They returned to their respective places of abode.
2. (obsolete) Noticing with attention; careful; wary.
   • c. 1559-1570, Edwin Sandys, letter to Bernard Gilpin

     But if you looke upon the estate of the church of England with a respective eye , you cannot with a good conscience refuse this charge imposed upon you

3. (obsolete) Looking toward; having reference to; relative, not absolute.

   the respective connections of society

4. (obsolete) Fitted to awaken respect.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, IV. iv. 192:

     What should it be that he respects in her / But I can make respective in myself,

5. (obsolete) Rendering respect; respectful; regardful.
   • a. 1598, William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, instructions to his son Robert Cecil, when young

     With thy equals familiar, yet respective.

Synonyms

• (relating to particular persons or things): corresponding, relevant, specific

Derived terms

• respectively
• respectiveness
• irrespective

Translations

Anagrams

• perceivest

French

Adjective

respective

1. feminine singular of respectif

German

Adverb

respective

1. Obsolete spelling of respektive

English

Etymology

From Latin circumstantia + English -al, equivalent to circumstance +? -ial.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /s??k?m?stan??l/

Adjective

circumstantial (comparative more circumstantial, superlative most circumstantial)

1. Pertaining to or dependent on circumstances, especially as opposed to essentials; incidental, not essential.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:circumstantial

2. Abounding with minor circumstances; in great detail; particular.
   • 1806, James Wilkinson, Letter to Thomas Jefferson (October 21, 1806) (part of Burr conspiracy)

     For although my information appears too direct and circumstantial to be fictitious, yet the magnitude of the enterprise, the desperation of the plan, and the stupendous consequences with which it seems pregnant, stagger my belief […]

   • 2007, John Burrow, A History of Histories, Penguin 2009, p. 326:

     Second-hand but clearly from the best possible source - the King himself - [the story] is highly circumstantial, taking twenty-two pages of text.

3. Full of circumstance or pomp; ceremonial.
4. (law) Suggesting guilt, but not proving it conclusively.

Translations

Noun

circumstantial (plural circumstantials)

1. (chiefly in the plural) Something incidental to the main subject, but of less importance.

   Antonym: essential

Translations