consistency

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kənˈsɪs.tən.si/^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Medieval Latin cōnsistentia (“a standing together”),^[2][3] or directly from Latin cōnsistēns, standing firm, present participle of cōnsistere, to stand firm, halt (see consist and consistent),^[2][3] from con-, together, and sistere, to stand, from the root of stand.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The condition in which matter holds together and keeps its form; firmness of matter: 1594.^[4][5][2]

Semantic evolution

Degree of density or viscosity (the consistency of cream) is from before 1661.^[4] Agreement or harmony with something is from 1658–9, the 1650s in Etymonline,^[4][2] steady adherence to principles or patterns of action from 1716,^[2][4] and the agreement of the parts of a system with each other from 1787.^[2][4]

Timeline

• 1594 – firmness of matter.^[4][5]
• 1658–9 – agreement, harmony.^[4]
• before 1661 – density, viscosity.^[4]
• 1716 – steadiness of conduct.^[4][2]
• 1787 – self-consistency.^[4][2]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. The quality of always behaving or performing in the same way; reliability.
2. Agreement or logical coherence among things or parts.
3. The degree of thickness or viscosity of a substance.

Word family

• self-consistency

Related words

• consist
• consistence
• consistent
• stand
• assist
• persist

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster