consequential, a. and n.
(kɒnsɪˈkwɛnʃəl)
[f. L. consequentia consequence + -al1.]
A. adj.
1. a. Of the nature of a consequence or sequel; following, esp. as an effect or result; consequent.
| 1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 6 Moneys were misimployed..in the two dishonourable treaties of Spain and Germany, and the consequential entertainments. 1704 Prior Let. to Boileau 193 A consequential Ill which Freedom draws; A bad Effect, but from a noble Cause. 1829 S. Turner Hist. Eng. IV. ii. xxviii. 241 Wars and their consequential burthens. 1842 W. Grove Corr. Phys. Forces 109 Each is connected with anterior changes, and..productive of consequential changes. |
b. Const. on, upon, † to.
| 1652 J. Hall Height Eloq. p. xxi, Accidents that are either inherent or consequentiall to love and melancholy. 1674 Owen Holy Spirit (1693) 94 The stipulation of obedience on our part is consequential thereupon. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 422 [The relation] of parent and child..is consequential to that of marriage. 1873 Act 36–7 Vict. c. 88 §26 All matters preliminary and incidental to and consequential on such trial and punishment. |
2. Of the nature of a consequence merely, not direct or immediate; eventual. consequential damages: ‘losses or injuries which follow an act, but are not direct and immediate upon it’ (Wharton). also consequential loss.
| 1626 W. Sclater Expos. 2 Thess. (1629) 201, I finde direct, or consequentiall repugnancie, and contradiction, twixt their pretended traditions, and writings. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. viii. §3 It was harsh to inflict immediate and direct death for a consequential and deductory felony. 1657 Burton's Diary (1828) II. 128 They have not an immediate, but only a consequential right to be heard in this. 1701 in Modern Reports (ed. 2, 1741) XII. 635 By the Erection he [sc. the Defendant] is become liable to the Plaintiff for all the consequential Damages. 1772 Jacob's Law-Dict. (ed. 9), Consequential losses, or damages, it is a fundamental principle in law and reason, that he who does the first wrong shall answer for all consequential damages. 1792 Burke Let. Sir H. Langrishe Wks. 1842 I. 546 To be utterly excluded from all its direct and all its consequential advantages. 1876 Gladstone Synchr. Homer 226 There is a difference between direct contradiction, and merely consequential or casual inconsistency. 1962 Which? (Car Suppl.) Oct. 140/2 The Ford Taunus guarantee..excluded any consequential loss. |
3. Following as an inference or conclusion. Const. on, upon († to, of, from).
| 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iii. xx. 208 Their deductions, and consequentiall inferences. 1695 Ld. Preston Boeth. iv. 180 These are consequential to our former Conclusions. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 156 ¶3 The genuine shoots of consequential reasoning, which grow out of some radical postulate. 1773 J. Allen Serm. St. Mary's Oxf. 11 To assert what is clearly consequential of our belief. a 1849 Poe Marginalia Wks. 1864 III. 533 The incidents are consequential from the premises. 1882 Gladstone in Manch. Guard. 8 Feb., A motion..consequential upon the resolution which the House has adopted. |
4. a. Characterized by logical sequence or consistency; = consequent a. 4.
| 1659 Vulgar Errors Censured 70 'Tis not consequentiall arguing from a not-declaring to a not-knowing. 1691–8 Norris Pract. Disc. (1711) III. 223 The substance of this author's reasoning..is so solid and consequential. 1748 Chesterfield Lett. II. clx. 73 Every man is more the man of the day, than a regular and consequential character. 1825 Coleridge Aids Refl. (1848) I. 104 A consistent and strictly consequential Materialism. |
† b. Having continuous sequence in time. Obs.
| 1681 S. Colvil Whigs Supplic. (1751) 138 It is no popish superstition, By consequential tradition To prove an article of faith. |
† 5. Pregnant with consequences, of consequence, important. Obs.
| 1728 Fielding Love in Sev. Masques i. v. 16 An Affair..of a consequential Essence. 1757 W. Thompson R.N. Advoc. 13 note, To preside..over that consequential Branch of the King's Business. 1798 W. Hutton Autobiog. 29 No event in a man's life is more consequential than marriage. 1807 G. Chalmers Caledonia I. Pref. 9 The true site of that consequential conflict. 1821 T. Campbell in New Monthly Mag. I. 6 He must withhold no consequential fact. |
6. Of persons: a. Having social consequence.
| 1833 Marryat P. Simple xxxi, A dignity ball is a ball given by the most consequential of their coloured people. 1833 H. Martineau Berkeley i. i. 8 Mr. C. bustled about..feeling himself the most consequential man in the town. |
b. Having or displaying a high opinion of one's own importance; self-important.
| 1758 Herald No. 25. II. 168 Our women..to make him both too consequential and saucy. 1791 Boswell Johnson 7 May an. 1773 Goldsmith was sometimes content to be treated with an easy familiarity, but upon occasions, would be consequential and important. 1816 ‘Quiz’ Grand Master viii. 225 He here consider'd it essential To shew he could be consequential. 1875 Farrar Seekers i. iii. 42 Pampered and consequential freedmen. |
† B. n. pl. Consequential matters or inferences.
| a 1734 North Exam. i. i. (1740) 29 Our Author's precious Observations out of the Lord Clarendon's History and some Consequentials. |