consequence

English Online Dictionary. What means consequence‎? What does consequence mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English consequence, from Old French consequence, from Latin consequentia. While analysable as con- +‎ sequence, its adjective form has a different origin.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɒnsɪkwɛns/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈkɑnsɪkwɛns/, /ˈkɑnsɪkwəns/

Noun

consequence (countable and uncountable, plural consequences)

1. An effect; something that follows a cause as a result.
   1. An unwanted or unpleasant effect.
2. consecution; chain of causes and effects.
3. conclusion, deduction or inference; the thing concluded.
4. (especially when preceded by "of") Importance, influence, or significance.

Synonyms

• (effect): aftercome
• (unwanted or unpleasant effect): repercussion
• (importance, influence, significance): moment, (hyponyms) distinction, rank, value
• (conclusion): implication

Derived terms

Related terms

Collocations

Translations

See also

• causality
• effect
• impact

Verb

consequence (third-person singular simple present consequences, present participle consequencing, simple past and past participle consequenced)

1. (transitive) To threaten or punish (a child, etc.) with specific consequences for misbehaviour.

References

Further reading

• “consequence”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “consequence”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “consequence”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.