Etymologically
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consult

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 17 October 2026 at 16:12. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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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

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