consult English · revision 15334

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1527|origins=la cōnsulō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈsʌlt/; /ˈkɒnsʌlt/, /kənˈsʌlt/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkɑnsʌlt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|consulter]] or directly [[la|cōnsultō|t=to consult, take the advice of]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) the frequentative of [[m|la|cōnsulō|t=to take counsel, meet and consider]] (see [[counsel]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) probably originally to call together, as in consulere senatum, to gather the senate,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|com-|t=together]] and a root meaning to take or gather (compare [[sell]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Barnhart also allows a back-formation from the earlier [[consultation]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ 1527 in Barnhart, the 1520s in Etymonline, to ask advice of;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) 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.^(NODE 1998)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To confer about or discuss a matter is from about 1540,^(OED 1989) and to take counsel together from 1565–73.^(OED 1989) Referring to a book or author for information is from 1618,^(OED 1989) and to have regard for someone's interests, as in ''consult his feelings'', from 1658.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023) The noun consult, a consultation, is from 1560.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) Consultation is older, from about 1425 in Scottish,^(Barnhart 1988) and consultant is from 1697.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – consultation (Scots).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1527 – to consult.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1548 – consult with.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1618 – to consult a book.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1697 – consultant.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To seek advice or information from someone, especially an expert.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To refer to a book, map or the like for information.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To have regard for: ''consult his wishes''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To confer with others; to work as a [[consultant]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A consultation, especially among doctors.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[consulter]]

+ * [[unconsulted]]

+ * [[unconsulting]]

+ * [[consultive]]

+ * [[reconsult]]

+ * [[consultancy]]

+ * [[consultative]]

+ * [[consultor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[consultant]]

+ * [[consultation]]

+ * [[counsel]]

+ * [[consul]]

+ * [[sell]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}