consistency English · revision 10614

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1594|origins=la-med consistentia}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈsɪs.tən.si/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-med|cōnsistentia|t=a standing together]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) or directly from Latin cōnsistēns, standing firm, present participle of cōnsistere, to stand firm, halt (see [[consist]] and [[consistent]]),^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from con-, together, and sistere, to stand, from the root of [[stand]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The condition in which matter holds together and keeps its form; firmness of matter: 1594.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Degree of density or viscosity (''the consistency of cream'') is from before 1661.^(OED 1989) Agreement or harmony with something is from 1658–9, the 1650s in Etymonline,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) steady adherence to principles or patterns of action from 1716,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the agreement of the parts of a system with each other from 1787.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1594 – firmness of matter.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1658–9 – agreement, harmony.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1661 – density, viscosity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1716 – steadiness of conduct.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1787 – self-consistency.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The quality of always behaving or performing in the same way; [[reliability]].^(AHD)^(LDOCE 2009)

+ # Agreement or logical [[coherence]] among things or parts.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The degree of thickness or [[viscosity]] of a substance.^(AHD)^(COED 2004)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[self-consistency]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[consist]]

+ * [[consistence]]

+ * [[consistent]]

+ * [[stand]]

+ * [[assist]]

+ * [[persist]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}