consultant English · revision 7518

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1697|origins=la consulto}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈsʌl.tənt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably [[bor|fr|consultant]], from Latin [[m|la|consultans|t=consulting]], the present participle of consultāre (see [[consult]]);^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002) Etymonline describes it as consult and [[-ant]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A person who consults an oracle: 1697.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In medicine, a physician called in by the attending doctor to give an opinion, it is from 1878 in the OED, by 1872 in Etymonline, perhaps after French usage of 1867.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) A person qualified to give professional advice in general is first attested in 1893, in a Sherlock Holmes story.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Consultancy'' is from 1955.^(Etymonline) In Britain a consultant is a senior hospital specialist.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1697 – one who consults an oracle.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1872 – a consulting physician.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1893 – a professional adviser.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1955 – consultancy.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who gives expert or professional [[advice]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(British)'' A senior hospital [[physician]], especially a specialist.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who consults another.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[consultantship]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[consult]]

+ * [[consultancy]]

+ * [[consultative]]

+ * [[consultation]]

+ * [[counsel]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}