con|sign /kənsa I n/ (consigns , consigning , consigned ) VERB To consign something or someone to a place or situation where they will be forgotten or do not want to be means to put them there. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + to ] For decades, many of his works were consigned to the basements of museums.
con|sign|ment /kənsa I nmənt/ (consignments ) N‑COUNT A consignment of goods is a load that is being delivered to a place or person. □ [+ of ] The first consignment of food has already left Bologna.
con|sist ◆◇◇ /kəns I st/ (consists , consisting , consisted )
1 VERB Something that consists of particular things or people is formed from them. □ [V + of ] Breakfast consisted of porridge served with butter.
2 VERB Something that consists in something else has that thing as its main or only part. □ [V + in ] His work consisted in advising companies on the siting of new factories. SYNONYMS consist of VERB 1
be made (out) of: The top of the table is made of glass.
contain: Greek yogurt contains much less fat than double cream.
comprise: The exhibition comprises 50 oils and watercolours.
be composed of: The force would be composed of troops from NATO countries.
con|sist|en|cy /kəns I stənsi/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Consistency is the quality or condition of being consistent. □ He scores goals with remarkable consistency. □ There's always a lack of consistency in matters of foreign policy.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The consistency of a substance is how thick or smooth it is. □ [+ of ] Dilute the paint with water until it is the consistency of milk.
con|sist|ent ◆◇◇ /kəns I stənt/
1 ADJ Someone who is consistent always behaves in the same way, has the same attitudes towards people or things, or achieves the same level of success in something. □ Becker has never been the most consistent of players anyway. □ …his consistent support of free trade. ● con|sist|ent|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj/adv] □ It's something I have consistently denied. □ Jones and Armstrong maintain a consistently high standard.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If one fact or idea is consistent with another, they do not contradict each other. □ [+ with ] This result is consistent with the findings of Garnett & Tobin.
3 ADJ An argument or set of ideas that is consistent is one in which no part contradicts or conflicts with any other part. □ These are clear consistent policies which we are putting into place. SYNONYMS consistent ADJ 1
constant: He has been her constant companion for the last four months.
steady: …a politician who's steady almost to the point of being boring.
reliable: Japanese cars are so reliable.
dependable: He was a good friend, a dependable companion.
co n|so|la |tion prize (consolation prizes )
1 N‑COUNT A consolation prize is a small prize which is given to a person who fails to win a competition.
2 N‑COUNT A consolation prize is something that is arranged for or is given to a person to make them feel happier when they have failed to achieve something better. □ Her appointment was seen as a consolation prize after she lost the election.
con|sole (consoles , consoling , consoled ) The verb is pronounced /kənsoʊ l/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ nsoʊl/. 1 VERB If you console someone who is unhappy about something, you try to make them feel more cheerful. □ [V with quote] 'Never mind, Ned,' he consoled me. □ [V n] Often they cry, and I have to play the role of a mother, consoling them. □ [V pron-refl + with ] I can console myself with the fact that I'm not alone. □ [V pron-refl that] He consoled himself that Emmanuel looked like a nice boy, who could be a good playmate for his daughter. [Also V n with/for n, V n that] [Also V pron-refl + for ] ● con|so|la|tion /kɒ nsəle I ʃ ə n/ (consolations ) N‑VAR □ [+ for ] The only consolation for the Scottish theatre community is that they look likely to get another chance. □ He knew then he was right, but it was no consolation.
2 N‑COUNT A console is a panel with a number of switches or knobs that is used to operate a machine.
con|soli|date /kənsɒ l I de I t/ (consolidates , consolidating , consolidated )
1 VERB If you consolidate something that you have, for example power or success, you strengthen it so that it becomes more effective or secure. □ [V n] Many young singers started and consolidated their careers at Covent Garden.
2 VERB To consolidate a number of small groups or firms means to make them into one large organization. □ [V n] The state has 60 days to consolidate Louisiana's four higher-education boards.
con|som|mé /kɒnsɒ me I , [AM ] kɒ nsəme I / (consommés ) N‑VAR [oft n N ] Consommé is a thin, clear soup, usually made from meat juices. □ …chicken consommé.
con|so|nant /kɒ nsənənt/ (consonants ) N‑COUNT A consonant is a sound such as 'p', 'f', 'n', or 't' which you pronounce by stopping the air flowing freely through your mouth. Compare vowel .
con|sort (consorts , consorting , consorted ) The verb is pronounced /kənsɔː r t/. The noun is pronounced /kɒ nsɔː r t/. 1 VERB If you say that someone consorts with a particular person or group, you mean that they spend a lot of time with them, and usually that you do not think this is a good thing. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V + with ] He regularly consorted with known drug-dealers.