consistv.
/kənˈsɪst/, U.S. /kənˈsɪst/ 1. † b. To stand firm, abide, remain, stay, keep its place; to have its place, lie. Obsolete.† c. To hold together as a material body; to have a firm consistence. Obsolete.† d. To come to a stand, stop short. Obsolete. rare.
a. intransitive. To have a settled existence, subsist, hold together, exist, be. Obsolete (or archaic, after Colossians i. 17).
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1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Diiiv Betwene the whyche two,..no symylytude or equalytie consysteth.
1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin viii. 441 Suffring suche affinitie and coniunction together, that the one can not consist without the other.
1582 Bible (Rheims) Coloss. i. 17 And he is before al, and al consist in him [ Wyclif ben, Tindale, Geneva have their being].
1611 Bible (King James) Coloss. i. 17 And by him all things consist [1881 Rev. V. in him all things consist, marg. That is, hold together] . View more context for this quotation
1632 Guillim's Display of Heraldrie (ed. 2) iii. xxiv. 249 Vitall spirits, without which the interior senses could not consist.
1691 T. Beverley Thousand Years' Kingdom 24 They so Begin, They so Consist, They so End, as to demonstrate, etc.
1710 G. Berkeley Treat. Princ. Human Knowl. §146 By whom all things consist.
1858 H. Bushnell Nature & Supernatural i. 31 They all consist, come together into system, in Christ.
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the world > space > place > position or situation > be positioned or situated [verb (intransitive)]
resteOE
standOE
sitOE
liec1121
inhabitc1384
settlea1400
couchc1400
biga1425
loutc1460
residea1475
innc1475
contain1528
consist1542
seatc1580
situate1583
lodge1610
site1616
subsist1618
station1751
the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > remain in one place
stickeOE
abideOE
dwell13..
occupy1413
to leave behind?a1425
remain1426
reside1488
consist1542
in1825
to stay put1843
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 243v Woordes of jeste consistyng within ye boundes of honestee.
?1567 M. Parker Whole Psalter cxix. 345 Consist that I: in lyfe may still: so iust thy wordes to kepe.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 483 This narrow Sea..consisteth betweene Cap di Sprat, and the Promontore of Sewty.
1643 Sir T. Browne Religio Medici (authorized ed.) i. §3 Unstable judgments that cannot consist in the narrow point and centre of vertue without a reele or stagger to the circumference. View more context for this quotation
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the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > state of being thick enough to retain form > be thick enough to retain form [verb (intransitive)]
consist1576
1576 G. Baker tr. C. Gesner Newe Jewell of Health i. f. 21 A man can not woorke..anye thynge without it, that consisteth thycke.
a1613 E. Brerewood Enq. Langs. & Relig. (1614) xiii. 112 It is..against the nature of water, being a flexible and ponderous body, so to consist, and stay it selfe, and not fall to the lower parts about it.
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the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > cease to move or become motionless > come to a stand or stop
abideOE
atstandc1000
steveneta1225
atstuntc1230
to make, take, etc., stallc1275
stema1300
astandc1314
withstanda1325
stintc1374
arrestc1400
stotec1400
stayc1440
steadc1475
stop short1530
disadvance1610
come1611
consist1611
check1635
halt1656
to bring to1697
to draw up1767
to bring up1769
to pull up1781
to fetch up1838
to come to a standstill1852
1611 J. Donne Ignatius his Conclaue sig. D2 That things must not be extended infinitly; that wee must consist and arrest somewhere.
1625 J. Donne First Serm. King Charles 26 We shall neuer knowe where to stop, where to consist.
a. To exist together or alongside of each other as compatible facts, to co-exist. Obsolete (except as passing into 3).
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the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (intransitive)] > coexist
consist1548
coexista1676
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree/be in harmony/be congruous [verb (intransitive)] > be compatible > as facts
consist1548
1548 R. Hutten tr. J. Spangenberg Sum of Diuinitie sig. Fvv Fayeth can not consiste wyth an euell conscience.
1553 tr. S. Gardiner De Vera Obediencia: Oration D v b They [sondry iurisdicciones] marre not one another: but they consist, & concurre by ye mutual help of one to an other.
1656 J. Bramhall Replic. to Bishop of Chalcedon 24 Truth in fundamentalls and errour in superstructures may consist together.
1675 R. Baxter Catholick Theol. ii. i. 119 [It is] a logical impossibility that these two should consist, ‘He believeth’ and ‘he believeth not’.
1814 R. Southey Roderick xvi. 217 If tears and trembling limbs With such celestial natures might consist.
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the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree/be in harmony/be congruous [verb (intransitive)] > be compatible
to go togethersa1387
to go togethera1533
consist1734
1734 A. Pope Ess. Man: Epist. IV 79 Health consists with Temperance alone.
1747 J. Wesley Primitive Physick p. xxiii Costiveness cannot long consist with Health.
1846 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters II. 131 The Spirit of Prophecy consisted with the avarice of Balaam, and the disobedience of Saul.
3. To be consistent in form, tenor, or character; to be congruous; to agree, harmonize (with). See consistent adj. and n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree/be in harmony/be congruous [verb (intransitive)]
accord1340
cord1340
concordc1374
agree1447
to stand togetherc1449
rhyme?a1475
commonc1475
gree?a1513
correspond1529
consent1540
cotton1567
pan1572
reciprocate1574
concur1576
meet1579
suit1589
sorta1592
condog1592
square1592
fit1594
congrue1600
sympathize1601
symbolize1605
to go even1607
coherea1616
congreea1616
hita1616
piece1622
to fall in1626
harmonize1629
consist1638
comply1645
shadow1648
quare1651
atonea1657
symphonize1661
syncretize1675
chime1690
jibe1813
consone1873
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > agree, harmonize, or be congruous with [verb (transitive)]
conspirec1384
accorda1393
to stand with ——c1449
to sit with ——a1500
correspond1545
resound1575
square1583
quader1588
to comport with1591
sympathize1594
beset1597
range1600
even1602
consort1607
to run with ——1614
countenancea1616
hita1616
sympathy1615
filea1625
quadrate?1630
consist1638
commensurate1643
commensure1654
to strike in1704
jig1838
harmonize1852
chime in with1861
equate1934
to tie in1938
to tune in1938
to tie up1958
1638 W. Chillingworth Relig. Protestants ii. §104 Which whether it can consist with his goodnes..I leave it to honest men to judge.
1652 T. Gataker Antinomianism 11 [This] doth wel concur and consist with what he said in the former.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 478 The New Piece is clap'd into [the Old Text]..as if they both consisted very well, and suited together.
1741 G. Berkeley Let. 7 June in A. C. Fraser Life & Lett. G. Berkeley The ordinances..which we take to consist all and hang together.
1788 London Mag. 257 [He] said it consisted with his certain knowledge.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India I. ii. iv. 169 A more extensive survey of the field of law, than consists with the plan of the present work.
1827 Westm. Rev. Apr. 503 The information he received perfectly consists with our friend the Serjeant's account.
a1871 G. Grote Fragm. Ethical Subj. (1876) iv. 104 Appetites are to be indulged only so far as consists with some definite and approved end.
a. to consist on or upon: to stand on, be based upon, rest upon. literal and figurative. Obsolete.
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the world > space > relative position > high position > position upon > be upon (something) [verb (transitive)]
overlieeOE
ridec1460
to consist on?c1550
overlay1793
over-cap1839
?c1550 tr. P. Vergil Eng. Hist. (1846) I. 280 The Englishe imperie consistethe on sewer pillers.
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. i. f. 46 Parallelogrammes consisting vpon equall bases, and in the selfe same parallel lines, are equall the one to the other.
1602 W. Segar Honor Mil. & Civill iii. liv. 197 This Temple seemed to consist upon Pillars of Pourferry, arched like vnto a Church.
1660 Scutum Regale: Royal Buckler 66 A survey of the main Triangle upon which the art of Government consists.
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the mind > will > decision > resolution or determination > be determined on [verb]
willa1387
set1390
to be bentc1400
to stand on?1440
to sit fast upon (something)1565
consist1588
to stick out1837
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)] > depend
depend1413
rest1530
penda1540
stay1549
to consist by1567
consist1588
suspend1608
to roll on ——1707
hinge1719
pivot1872
1588 R. Greene Pandosto sig. C3v To think, that the Common-wealth consisted on his safetie.
1591 F. Sparry tr. C. de Cattan Geomancie 162 When the Figure doth consist vppon many good figures.
1650 Earl of Monmouth tr. J. F. Senault Man become Guilty 345 Their fortune consisted on his fancy.
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the mind > language > statement > insistence or persistence > insist or persist [verb (intransitive)]
perseverec1380
clencha1400
standc1400
to stand to it1549
beat1579
insist1596
hammer1598
consist1600
persist1600
re-enforce1603
to swear pink1956
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 185 Such large termes, and so absolute, As our conditions shall consist vpon. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles iv. 81 Welcome is peace, if he on peace consist . View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > effect, result, or consequence > result [verb (intransitive)] > depend
depend1413
rest1530
penda1540
stay1549
to consist by1567
consist1588
suspend1608
to roll on ——1707
hinge1719
pivot1872
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > become essence [verb (intransitive)] > be comprised in
to consist by1567
to consist in1576
1567 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure II. xxv. f. 237 By the only courage of your minde consisteth ye hap or mishap of your affaires.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso 329 The delight of the Vertuosi..consists wholly by extracting useful precepts from noble representations; thereby to enrich their minds.
1713 London Gaz. No. 5130/6 We whose Livelihoods consist by Trade.
6. to consist in.† a. To be, exist, reside, or inhere in; to be vested, located, comprised in. Obsolete.† b. To have its essence or essential character in.† c. To be, exist, or be engaged in. Obsolete.† f. Formerly, consist to do was = consist in doing. Obsolete.
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the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (transitive)]
to consist in1526
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection Pref. sig. Aiv The selfe pilgremage, whiche consisteth or standeth in .vii. dayes iourney.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xxx. B In thy hande consisteth power and might.
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. N7 In whome doth the election of the minister or pastor consist?
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iv. 337 In her consistes my happines and thine. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Luke xii. 15 A mans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. View more context for this quotation
1654 J. Playford Breefe Introd. Skill Musick 14 The usuall Moods may not here be mist, In them much cunning doth consist.
1820 P. B. Shelley Œdipus Tyrannus i. 15 They think their strength consists in eating beef.
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the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > inform or give a thing its essence [verb (transitive)] > consist of or have as its essence
to stand in ——a1382
to lie in1589
to consist in1594
1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits xv. §3. 290 The male sex consisteth in this, that the seed be hot and drie at the time of his forming.
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the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > engage in or busy oneself about
fanda1375
entermetea1393
deala1400
makea1400
apply?c1400
to have in occupation?1523
lie1546
entreat1590
to consist in1606
tirea1616
stickle1647
to be in the business of1873
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. 38 b He promised to discharge them of the warres and danger they consisted in.
d. To be comprised or contained in (actions, conditions, qualities, or other things non-material); to be constituted of. Now the usual sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > intrinsicality or inherence > essence or intrinsic nature > become essence [verb (intransitive)] > be comprised in
to consist by1567
to consist in1576
1576 A. Fleming tr. Isocrates in Panoplie Epist. 166 For, mine advise, at that time, consisted in this point.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxx. 192 Offices and duties of religious ioy..wherein the hallowing of Festiuall times consisteth.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 589 In loving thou dost well, in passion not, Wherein true Love consists not. View more context for this quotation
a1677 I. Barrow Several Serm. Evil-speaking (1678) ii. 49 Recreations..consisting meerly in rustical efforts, or in petty sleights of bodily strength and activity.
1728 R. Morris Ess. Anc. Archit. 36 The Sensibility of its consisting in a Conformity to our Ideas.
1736 Bp. J. Butler Analogy of Relig. i. iii. 44 Moral Government consists,..in rewarding the Righteous and punishing the Wicked.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. viii. 673 His administration consisted in a perpetual change of ill-concerted measures.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues IV. 37 Not every one can tell in what the beauty of a figure consists.
e. To be embodied in; to be composed of. archaic. Now usually to consist of: see 7.
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the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > be composed of or consist of [verb (transitive)]
to be made ofa1200
to stand of ——a1393
to stand togetherc1475
remaina1525
compose?1541
subsist1549
to stand on ——1563
to consist of1565
to stand upon ——1601
to consist in1614
comprise1874
1614 J. Selden Titles of Honor 288 As our Commons, which consist in Freeholders.
1735 S. Johnson tr. J. Lobo Voy. Abyssinia 264 The whole Revenue of the Emperor consists in Lands and Goods.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World II. 127 Your clothing consisted in an hempen bag tied round the neck with a string.
1809 E. A. Kendall Trav. Northern Parts U.S. II. xlvii. 143 The timber consists almost exclusively in black pine and oak.
1841 H. J. Stephen New Comm. Laws Eng. I. 157 Things real are usually said to consist in lands, tenements, or hereditaments.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 23 The fee consists in some sort of cattle.
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1557 W. Baldwin & T. Palfreyman Treat. Morall Philos. (new ed.) iii. viii. f. 95v The hygh vertues..consisteth not alonly to suffer the passions of the bodye, but also to dissimule them of the soule.
7. to consist of: to be made up or composed of; to have as its constituent substance or elements. (Of was here originally = from, out of. Consist of was formerly also used where consist in is now used.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > [verb (intransitive)]
liveeOE
beOE
i-bea1175
befindc1175
to be beleft1340
to consist of1565
exist1570
re1597
breathe1652
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > be composed of or consist of [verb (transitive)]
to be made ofa1200
to stand of ——a1393
to stand togetherc1475
remaina1525
compose?1541
subsist1549
to stand on ——1563
to consist of1565
to stand upon ——1601
to consist in1614
comprise1874
1565–73 T. Cooper Thesaurus (at cited word) Consto, De principijs rerum, è quibus omnia constant. Cicero. Of which all things do consist, or are compact and made.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxv. 164 The mettle or matter whereof it consisted.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. iii. 9 Does not our liues consist of the foure Elements? And. Faith so they say, but I thinke it rather consists of eating and drinking. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 16 When I behold this goodly Frame, this World of Heav'n and Earth consisting. View more context for this quotation
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1690) 51 Power at Sea consists chiefly of Men, able to fight at Sea.
1792 J. Almon Anecd. Life W. Pitt (octavo ed.) I. x. 203 No one was quite certain of whom this party consisted.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. i. 223 Newton imagined light to consist of particles darted out from luminous bodies.
1891 J. B. Edge in Law Times 90 395/1 An ordinary fence, consisting of a ditch and a bank.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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