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consensus

Etymology and origin of the Latin word consensus

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Cicero
Ultimate origin
Latin (sentiō)
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin consensus
English consensus

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kõːˈsẽː.sʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [konˈsɛn.sus][1]

Forms

cōnsēnsus m (genitive cōnsēnsūs); fourth declension[1]

Etymology

It is from cōnsentiō “to agree”, from con- “together” and sentiō “to feel”, with the suffix -tus.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of agreement in opinion.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant agreement in opinion or feeling, concord, unanimity, as in Cicero, and in Caesar combined action.[2] In Cicero it also meant the harmony of things in nature.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant agreement, concord.[4] Medieval Latin used it for the assent of a single person.[5] British Medieval Latin used it for consent, and for privity, complicity.[6] It was borrowed into Italian and Spanish consenso, and English consensus is recorded from 1854, first as a term of physiology.[1][7]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of agreement.[2][3]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses it of combined action.[2][3]
  • 1854 – English consensus is recorded.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Agreement, unanimity, consensus.[2]
  2. Combined action.[2]
  3. Harmony (of things).[2]
  4. (Medieval Latin) Consent; complicity.[5][6]

Usage notes

It is also the participle cōnsēnsus of cōnsentiō.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  6. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com

Borrowed into

Cite this entry

“Consensus.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/consensus. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·