consequence

See also: conséquence

EnglishEdit

EtymologyEdit

From Middle English consequence, from Old French consequence [1], from Latin consequentia. While analysable as con- +‎ sequence, its adjective form has a different origin.

PronunciationEdit

NounEdit

consequence (plural consequences)

  1. That which follows something on which it depends; that which is produced by a cause.
    • 1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, New York, N.Y.: Columbia University Press, →ISBN, page 7:
      The lobule margins, furthermore, are arched away from the lobe, with the consequence that (when fully inflated) the abaxial leaf surface forms the interior lining of the lobule.
  2. A result of actions, especially if such a result is unwanted or unpleasant.
    I'm warning you. If you don't get me the report on time, there will be consequences.
  3. A proposition collected from the agreement of other previous propositions; any conclusion which results from reason or argument; inference.
  4. Chain of causes and effects; consecution.
  5. Importance with respect to what comes after.
  6. The power to influence or produce an effect.
  7. (especially when preceded by "of") Importance, value, or influence.
    • 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 19, in The History of Pendennis. [], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, [], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
      Thus young Pen, the only son of an estated country gentleman, with a good allowance, and a gentlemanlike bearing and person, looked to be a lad of much more consequence than he was really; and was held by the Oxbridge authorities, tradesmen, and undergraduates, as quite a young buck and member of the aristocracy.
    • 2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC:
      Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence.

SynonymsEdit

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Derived termsEdit

Related termsEdit

CollocationsEdit

TranslationsEdit

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See alsoEdit

VerbEdit

consequence (third-person singular simple present consequences, present participle consequencing, simple past and past participle consequenced)

  1. (transitive) To threaten or punish (a child, etc.) with specific consequences for misbehaviour.
    • 1998, Terry M. Levy, Michael Orlans, Attachment, trauma, and healing
      The goal of consequencing is to teach the child a lesson that leads to positive choices and behaviors. The goal of punishment is to inflict pain and seek revenge. Angry parenting is punitive and ineffectual.
    • 2001, Betty Bedard-Bidwell, Hand in Hand, page 117:
      These behaviours are not acceptable within a classroom setting and often result in the child being consequenced or removed from class.

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2023), “consequence”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Further readingEdit