Etymologically
Log in

consentio

Etymology and origin of the Latin word consentio

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Plautus
Ultimate origin
Latin (sentiō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kõːˈsɛn.ti.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [konˈsɛn.t͡si.o][1]

Forms

cōnsentiō (present infinitive cōnsentīre, perfect active cōnsēnsī, supine cōnsēnsum); fourth conjugation[1]

Etymology

It is from con- (“together”) and sentiō “to feel, think”, literally “to feel together”.[2][1][3] An early inscription has the form ⟨cosentiont⟩.[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citation for the sense “to conspire” is Plautus.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant to share in sensation or feeling, as in Lucretius, then to be in agreement, harmony, as Cicero's minds in accord, and to concur in an opinion.[2][6] It meant to reach an agreement, combine in a plan, and to form a conspiracy, as in Plautus.[2] It also meant to favour, to assent or allow, as in Pliny the Elder, and of things to be in harmony, correspond, be consistent with.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to consent, agree.[7] It survives in French and Spanish consentir and Italian consentire.[1] English consent came through Old French consentir about 1300.[3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of conspiring.[2][5]
  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it of shared sensation.[2][5]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of agreement.[2][5]
  • c. 1300 – English consent is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To feel together.[2]
  2. To agree, be in harmony.[2]
  3. To reach agreement; to combine; to conspire.[2]
  4. To favour; to consent, allow.[2]
  5. (of things) To correspond, be consistent.[2]

Word family

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
Cite this entry

“Consentio.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/consentio. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·