TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
CIRCUMSTANTIALITY [2 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 1993-12-29
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Psychology (General)
- Mental Disorders
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- circumstantiality
1, record 1, English, circumstantiality
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A term used to describe speech that is indirect and delayed in reaching the point because of unnecessary, tedious details and parenthetical remarks. Circumstantial replies or statements may be prolonged for many minutes if the speaker is not interrupted and urged to get to the point. Interviewers often respond to circumstantiality by interrupting the speaker in order to complete the process of history taking within an allotted time. This may make it difficult to distinguish loosening of associations from circumstantiality. In the former there is a lack of connection between clauses, but in the latter the clauses always retain a meaningful connection. In loosening of associations, the original point is lost, whereas in circumstantiality, the speaker is always aware of the original point, goal, or topic. 1, record 1, English, - circumstantiality
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Psychologie (Généralités)
- Troubles mentaux
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- prolixité circonlocutoire
1, record 1, French, prolixit%C3%A9%20circonlocutoire
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Expression utilisée pour décrire un discours indirect qui tarde à atteindre son objectif à cause de détails inutiles et ennuyeux et de remarques incidentes. Les réponses ou les déclarations détaillées de ce type peuvent se prolonger pendant plusieurs minutes si le locuteur n'est pas interrompu et instamment pressé d'aller à l'essentiel. Les interlocuteurs répliquent souvent à ce comportement en interrompant le sujet afin qu'il complète le récit de son histoire dans un temps limité. Cela peut rendre difficile la distinction entre un relâchement des associations et ce trouble. Dans le premier cas, il existe un manque de lien entre les propositions; dans le second, les propositions gardent toujours un lien logique entre elles. Dans le relâchement des associations, le point de départ est oublié tandis qu'ici, le locuteur est toujours conscient du point de départ, du but ou du sujet du discours. La prolixité circonlocutoire est courante chez les Personnalités de type obsessionnel-compulsif et chez de nombreux sujets ne souffrant d'aucun trouble mental. 1, record 1, French, - prolixit%C3%A9%20circonlocutoire
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 1985-06-25
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- General Vocabulary
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- circumstantiality 1, record 2, English, circumstantiality
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Vocabulaire général
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- abondance de détails
1, record 2, French, abondance%20de%20d%C3%A9tails
feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: