consult

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kənˈsʌlt/; /ˈkɒnsʌlt/, /kənˈsʌlt/ (UK); /ˈkɑnsʌlt/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Middle French consulter or directly Latin cōnsultō (“to consult, take the advice of”),^[2][3][4] the frequentative of cōnsulō (“to take counsel, meet and consider”) (see counsel),^[2][3][4] probably originally to call together, as in consulere senatum, to gather the senate,^[3][2] from com- (“together”) and a root meaning to take or gather (compare sell).^[3][2][5] Barnhart also allows a back-formation from the earlier consultation.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

1527 in Barnhart, the 1520s in Etymonline, to ask advice of;^[2][3] the New Oxford's first sense is to deliberate together, confer, and the OED's earliest quotation for consult with, to seek advice from, is from 1548.^[6][7]

Semantic evolution

To confer about or discuss a matter is from about 1540,^[7] and to take counsel together from 1565–73.^[7] Referring to a book or author for information is from 1618,^[7] and to have regard for someone's interests, as in consult his feelings, from 1658.^[7][8] The noun consult, a consultation, is from 1560.^[7][5] Consultation is older, from about 1425 in Scottish,^[2] and consultant is from 1697.^[2]

Timeline

• c. 1425 – consultation (Scots).^[2]
• 1527 – to consult.^[2]
• 1548 – consult with.^[7]
• 1618 – to consult a book.^[7]
• 1697 – consultant.^[2]

Modern meaning

Verb

1. To seek advice or information from someone, especially an expert.
2. To refer to a book, map or the like for information.
3. To have regard for: consult his wishes.
4. To confer with others; to work as a consultant.

Noun

1. A consultation, especially among doctors.

Word family

• consulter
• unconsulted
• unconsulting
• consultive
• reconsult
• consultancy
• consultative
• consultor

Related words

• consultant
• consultation
• counsel
• consul
• sell

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
8. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins