consequence English · revision 10280

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1385|origins=fro consequence|origins=la consequentia|origins=ine-pro *sekʷ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkɒn.sɪ.kwəns/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkɑn.sɪ.kwəns/, /ˈkɑn.sɪˌkwɛns/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is late Middle English, [[bor|fro|consequence|t=result]] (modern French conséquence),^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) from Latin consequentia,^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) an abstract noun from consequēns, consequentem, present participle of consequī, to follow after,^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from com-, with, together, and sequī, to follow (from PIE [[ine-pro|*sekʷ-|alt=*sekw-|t=to follow]]).^(Etymonline) See [[sequel]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A logical inference or conclusion: the late 14th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the OED's earliest quotation is ''by consequence'', about 1391.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ That which follows from or grows out of an act or course, the main modern sense, is from about 1400.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The following of a conclusion from premises is from 1571,^(OED 1989) and following in sequence from 1597.^(OED 1989) Importance or moment arose in the 16th century in the phrase ''of consequence'', properly having results.^(Hoad 1986) In Yorkshire and Essex dialect it meant assumed importance, conceit.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1391 – by consequence.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – a result, effect.^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – importance.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1571 – logical sequence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1597 – succession.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[result]] or effect of an action or condition.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An unpleasant result: ''to take the consequences''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # Importance or significance: ''of no consequence''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Importance in rank or position.^(AHD)

+ # ''(logic)'' A conclusion reached by reasoning.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[inconsequence]]

+ * [[nonconsequence]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[consequent]]

+ * [[consequential]]

+ * [[consequently]]

+ * [[sequence]]

+ * [[sequel]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}