Both Uses
circumstantial evidence
in
The Hunt for Red October
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- "I do not claim that this story is true, nor do I claim it is even a likely one at this point," Gerasimov said, keeping his voice detached and clinical, "but there is sufficient circumstantial evidence supporting it that I must recommend an in-depth investigation by the Committee for State Security touching on all aspects of this affair."†
Chpt 15.circumstantial evidence = evidence that can suggest something, but does not prove it
- On the other hand, they can believe the story we planted through Henderson, which is also unattractive but is supported by a good deal of circumstantial evidence, especially our efforts to entice their crewmen to defect.†
Chpt 16. *
Definitions:
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(1)
(circumstantial evidence) evidence that can suggest something, but does not prove itFor example, if someone’s fingerprints are on a window that was broken during a burglary, that can suggest they were there. But it doesn’t prove they broke in—maybe they touched the window earlier for an innocent reason.
- (2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)