▪ I. consequence, n.
(ˈkɒnsɪkwəns)
[a. F. conséquence (13th c. in Littré, = Pr. consequencia, It. consequenza), ad. L. consequentia, n. of state f. consequent-em: see consequent and -ence.]
1. A thing or circumstance which follows as an effect or result from something preceding.
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 6450 The consequence of such shryvyng. 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. v. i. 85 The consequence is then, thy iealous fits Hath scar'd thy husband from the vse of wits. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. iii. 208 The direfull effects, and sad consequences of War. 1699 Burnet 39 Articles ix. (1700) 108 Death is the consequence of Adam's Sin. 1792 Gouv. Morris in Sparks Life & Writ. (1832) II. 205 As to consequences, they are in the hand of God. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) I. 484 That the legal consequences of an actual seisin shall ensue. 1880 L. Stephen Pope iv. 91 His [Pope's] unsocial habits..were a natural consequence of ill-health. |
† b. to draw in(to) consequence: to carry into effect. Obs.
| c 1420 Hoccleve Balade Crt. de bone Comp. 67 Ensaumpleth us..As that it seemeth good to your prudence..Dooth, as yow list be drawe in consequence. 1641 W. Hakewill Libertie of Subj. 63 That such impositions..be not drawn into consequence, but taken away. |
2. The action or condition of following as a result upon something antecedent; the relation of a result or effect to its cause or antecedent.
| 1656 tr. Hobbes' Elem. Philos. (1839) 14 We seldom see clouds without the consequence of rain. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 364 Such fatal consequence unites us three. 1830 Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. ii. vi. (1851) 151 Invariable antecedence of the cause and consequence of the effect. 1864 Bowen Logic x. 336 The fixed Relations of antecedence and consequence which subsist between the changes. |
† b. The action or fact of following in succession or order; sequence, succession; course. Obs.
| 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 79 If you will auoide the consequence of perfect cordes of one kinde, you must put betwixt them other concords. 1678 Hobbes Decam. i. 14 They thought the Names of things sufficiently connected, when they are placed in their natural consequence. 1728 North Mem. Musick (1846) 17 The people varyed their modes more or less in the consequence of time. |
3. That which follows logically, or can be deduced or inferred; a logical result or inference. † Formerly, the conclusion of a syllogism as opposed to the premisses (obs.).
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 7468 Shaltow never of apparence Seene conclude good consequence In none argument. c 1400 Test. Love ii. (1560) 284 b/1 The consequence is false, needes the antecedent mote beene of the same condition. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. iii. 68 Grantis, he sayd, þe antecedens; Bot I deny þe consequens. 1535 Joye Apol. Tindale 5 That he see not howe his antecedence may be true and consequence false. 1655–60 Stanley Hist. Philos. (1701) 481/1 We may infer this Consequence. 1771 Junius Lett. lv. 291 If I admitted the premises, I should readily agree in all the consequences drawn from them. 1883 Froude Short Stud. IV. i. vi. 63 The succeeding prelates..were too wise to press theories to their logical consequences. |
b. The following of a conclusion from premisses; logical sequence.
| 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. v. 7 It is a very good consequence to say, Iniquitie is hatefull untoo God: ergo, he will take just vengeance of all wicked persones. 1638 Chillingw. Relig. Prot. i. i. §10 The Conclusion is true, though the Consequence of it from your former Premisses either is none at all, or so obscure, that I can hardly discern it. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 158 ¶7 To proceed from one truth to another, and connect distant propositions by regular consequences. 1864 Bowen Logic vii. 176 The essence of the Syllogism..is this necessary consequence of the Conclusion from the Premises. |
4. Phr. in, by, of, consequence: as a result or inference, consequently. a. by consequence. Now arch.
| [c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. ii. §38 Par consequence, than the nader of the sowth lyne is the north lyne.] 1581 Marbeck Bk. of Notes 230, I saie, that foolishlie & by consequence that falselie he alledgeth S. Augustin to his purpose. c 1680 Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 41 The catholick and by consequence one church. 1747 Wesley Charac. Methodist 10 By Consequence, whatsoever he doth, it is all to the Glory of God. 1885 Sir J. W. Chitty in Law Times Rep. LIII. 712/2 The marriage was a Mahommedan and by consequence a polygamous marriage. |
b. of consequence. Obs. or vulgar.
| 1561 J. Daus tr. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573) 22/b, Before euery of these Epistles, and therfore of consequence before the Epistle to the Ephesians. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. i. vi. §6 Man's employment must of consequence have been matter of delight in the experiment. 1754 Richardson Grandison II. xxxiii. 321. 1780 Johnson Let. 8 Apr. in Boswell, Your countenance may be of great credit, and of consequence of great advantage to her. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. iv. 431 He was rather more intemperate than his predecessor; and of consequence created rather more animosity in his opponents. 1848 Fraser's Mag. XXXVIII. 228 Whatever part Jenny Lind takes, is of consequence the first. |
c. in consequence. (The phrase now current.) in consequence of: as a result of.
| 1683 Dryden Wks. (1808) XVII. 100 In consequence of this, to make an exact description of the principal actions. 1775 Tender Father II. 151 And, in consequence, it frequently happened, that, etc. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1842) II. 392 What took place in consequence I am not apprised. 1879 Lockyer Elem. Astron. i. 26 Our Sun at setting..seems sometimes blood red, in consequence of the absorption of our atmosphere. 1880 Geikie Phys. Geog. iv. xxiv. 241 Iron is the principal substance contained in the water, which has in consequence a strong inky taste. |
† d. in the consequence: in the sequel or result.
| 1659 Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 459, I fear, in the consequence, it will prove an allowance of such meetings for the future. 1725 De Foe Voy. round W. (1840) 45 Doing justice upon the offenders..had this disadvantage in the consequence; viz. that it would ruin the voyage. |
† 5. of good, bad, etc., consequence: fraught with such and such results. Obs.
| a 1660 Hammond (J.), Asserted without any colour of scripture-proof, it is of very ill consequence to the superstructing of good life. 1662 Bk. Com. Prayer Pref., We have rejected all such [alterations] as were either of dangerous consequence..or else of no consequence at all, but utterly frivolous and vain. 1774 J. Bryant Mythol. I. 169 He speaks of it as a circumstance of very bad consequence. 1829 I. Taylor Enthus. ix. 216 note, Ignatius..set an example of unhappy consequence to the Church. |
6. Importance, moment, weight. Originating in the attributive phr. of consequence: i.e. having issues or results, and therefore important. Cf. prec. and Fr. une matière de conséquence ‘a matter of importance, moment, or weight’ (Cotgr. 1611).
| a. [1489 Caxton Faytes of A. i. xx. 64 By cause that thys thynge bereth grete weyght of consequense, he shall take thaduys of them of hys counseyll.] 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, v. ii. 60 It is a matter of small consequence. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 1 As often as we do any thing of note or consequence, we subiect our selues to euery ones censure. 1662 [see 5]. 1699 Bentley Phal. 242 These little differences are of no consequence. 1741 Richardson Pamela I. 52 You are of more Consequence to him, than you think for. 1757 (title), A Review of the Military Operations in North America..To which are added..several Letters and other Papers of Consequence. 1832 Lander Adv. Niger II. ix. 54 Nothing of consequence has occurred to-day. |
| b. 1778 Sir J. Reynolds Disc. viii. (1876) 449 Both these qualities of the mind are to have their proper consequence, as far as they do not counteract each other. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 409 [He] found it impracticable to raise a glass manufacture into consequence. 1845 Ford Handbk. Spain i. 84 Personal respect, to which Spaniards always attached infinite consequence. 1875 Whitney Life Lang. xiv. 283 It possesses the highest consequence. |
7. In reference to persons: Importance in rank and position, social distinction. Cf. ‘quality’.
| 1602 Carew Cornwall (1811) 412 Such and such had made use of his Lordships name..to make themselves men of consequence. 1714 Swift Pres. State Affairs Wks. 1755 II. i. 214 A person of some consequence. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1879) II. 1034/1 Brutus now felt his consequence lie heavy upon him. 1867 M. E. Herbert Cradle L. vii. 188 Our guard..told him that we were persons of great consequence. 1879 Froude Cæsar iii. 22 No form of property gives to its owners so much consequence as land. |
† b. Importance manifested by appearance or demeanour; dignity. Also transf. of things. Obs.
| 1793 W. Hodges Trav. India 87 Adjacent to which are many hills, rising almost to the consequence of mountains. 1798 Jane Austen Northang. Abb. i, Her figure gained more consequence. |
c. Assumed importance, consequentiality.
| 1791 Huddesford Salmag. 19 Shield me..From Pedantry of formal port, And Consequence in Cassoc short. 1832 F. Trollope Dom. Manners Amer. xvii. (1839) 140 We quitted Cincinnati the beginning of March..We..had amused ourselves with its consequence, its taste, and its ton. |
8. Astr. Motion from an earlier to a later sign of the Zodiac, or from west to east; direct motion; also a position more to the east.
| 1683 Phil. Trans. XIII. 407 Jupiter being in consequence of the Sun, add the difference. 1771 Pemberton ibid. LXI. 442 If the point s is taken in consequence of the moon, it will be above the horizon, when the nonagesime degree is also in consequence of the moon. 1797 Encycl. Brit. II. 506/2 This motion, from west to east, is said to be in the order of the signs, or in consequence. |
9. consequences: a round game, in which a narrative of the meeting of a lady and a gentleman, their conversation, and the ensuing ‘consequences’, is concocted by the contribution of a name or fact by each of the players, in ignorance of what has been contributed by the others.
| 1796 Jane Austen Sense & Sens. xxiii. (1833) 121 They met for..playing at cards or consequences, or any other game that was sufficiently noisy. 1869 in Boy's Own Book. |
▪ II. † ˈconsequence, v. Obs. rare—1.
[f. prec. n.]
intr. To draw inferences or conclusions.
| 1645 Milton Tetrach. (1851) 175 Such a methodical and School-like way of defining, and consequencing. |