*consis*

{ , n. [ Cf. F. consistance. ] 1. The condition of standing or adhering together, or being fixed in union, as the parts of a body; existence; firmness; coherence; solidity. [ 1913 Webster ]

Water, being divided, maketh many circles, till it restore itself to the natural consistence. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are as water, weak, and of no consistence. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

The same form, substance, and consistency. T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A degree of firmness, density, viscosity, or spissitude; a measure of the ability to hold together when manipulated.
Syn. -- body. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let the expressed juices be boiled into the consistence of a sirup. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which stands together as a united whole; a combination. [ 1913 Webster ]

The church of God, as meaning the whole consistence of orders and members. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Firmness of constitution or character; substantiality; durability; persistency. [ 1913 Webster ]

His friendship is of a noble make and a lasting consistency. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Agreement or harmony of all parts of a complex thing among themselves, or of the same thing with itself at different times; the harmony of conduct with profession; congruity; correspondence; as, the consistency of laws, regulations, or judicial decisions; consistency of opinions; consistency of conduct or of character. [ 1913 Webster ]

That consistency of behavior whereby he inflexibly pursues those measures which appear the most just. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Consistency, thou art a jewel. Popular Saying. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. consistens, p. pr.: cf. F. consistant. ] 1. Possessing firmness or fixedness; firm; hard; solid. [ 1913 Webster ]

The humoral and consistent parts of the body. Harvey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having agreement with itself or with something else; having harmony among its parts; possesing unity; accordant; harmonious; congruous; compatible; uniform; not contradictory. [ 1913 Webster ]

Show me one that has it in his power
To act consistent with himself an hour. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

With reference to such a lord, to serve and to be free are terms not consistent only, but equivalent. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Living or acting in conformity with one's belief or professions. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was utterly to be at once a consistent Quaker and a conspirator. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a consistent manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. consistorial. ] Of or pertaining to a consistory. “Consistorial laws.” Hooker. “Consistorial courts.” Bp. Hoadley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to a Presbyterian consistory; -- a contemptuous term of 17th century controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

You fall next on the consistorian schismatics; for so you call Presbyterians. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n.; pl. Consistories [ L. consistorium a place of assembly, the place where the emperor's council met, fr. consistere: cf. F. consistoire, It. consistorio. See Consist. ] 1. Primarily, a place of standing or staying together; hence, any solemn assembly or council. [ 1913 Webster ]

To council summons all his mighty peers,
Within thick clouds and dark tenfold involved,
A gloomy consistory. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Eng. Ch.) The spiritual court of a diocesan bishop held before his chancellor or commissioner in his cathedral church or elsewhere. Hook. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (R. C. Ch.) An assembly of prelates; a session of the college of cardinals at Rome. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pius was then hearing of causes in consistory. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A church tribunal or governing body. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In some churches, as the Dutch Reformed in America, a consistory is composed of the minister and elders of an individual church, corresponding to a Presbyterian church session, and in others, as the Reformed church in France, it is composed of ministers and elders, corresponding to a presbytery. In some Lutheran countries it is a body of clerical and lay officers appointed by the sovereign to superintend ecclesiastical affairs. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A civil court of justice. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a consistory. “To hold consistory session.” Strype. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Inconsistency. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Inconsistencies [ Cf. F. inconsistance. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The quality or state of being inconsistent; discordance in respect to sentiment or action; such contrariety between two things that both can not exist or be true together; disagreement; incompatibility. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is a perfect inconsistency between that which is of debt and that which is of free gift. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Absurdity in argument ore narration; incoherence or irreconcilability in the parts of a statement, argument, or narration; that which is inconsistent. [ 1913 Webster ]

If a man would register all his opinions upon love, politics, religion, and learning, what a bundle of inconsistencies and contradictions would appear at last! Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Lack of stability or uniformity; unsteadiness; changeableness; variableness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mutability of temper, and inconsistency with ourselves, is the greatest weakness of human nature. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + consistent: cf. F. inconsistant. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Not consistent; showing inconsistency; irreconcilable; contradictory, or having contradictory implications; discordant; at variance, esp. as regards character, sentiment, or action; incompatible; incongruous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Compositions of this nature . . . show that wisdom and virtue are far from being inconsistent with politeness and good humor. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not exhibiting uniformity of sentiment, steadiness to principle, etc.; unequal; fickle; changeable. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ah, how unjust to nature, and himself,
Is thoughtless, thankless, inconsistent man. Young.

Syn. -- Incompatible; incongruous; irreconcilable; discordant; repugnant; contradictory. -- Inconsistent, Incongruous, Incompatible. Things are incongruous when they are not suited to each other, so that their union is unbecoming; inconsistent when they are opposed to each other, so as render it improper or wrong; incompatible when they can not coexist, and it is therefore impossible to unite them. Habitual levity of mind is incongruous with the profession of a clergyman; it is inconsistent with his ordination vows; it is incompatible with his permanent usefulness. Incongruity attaches to the modes and qualities of things; incompatibility attaches to their essential attributes; inconsistency attaches to the actions, sentiments, etc., of men. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an inconsistent manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Inconsistency. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Inconsistent. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being self-consistent. [ 1913 Webster ]