n. [ L. consumptio: cf. F. consomption. ] 1. The act or process of consuming by use, waste, etc.; decay; destruction. [ 1913 Webster ]
Every new advance of the price to the consumer is a new incentive to him to retrench the quality of his consumption. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The state or process of being consumed, wasted, or diminished; waste; diminution; loss; decay. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. (Med.) A progressive wasting away of the body; esp., that form of wasting, attendant upon pulmonary phthisis and associated with cough, spitting of blood, hectic fever, etc.; pulmonary phthisis; -- called also pulmonary consumption. [ 1913 Webster ]
Consumption of the bowels (Med.), inflammation and ulceration of the intestines from tubercular disease.
Syn. -- Decline; waste; decay. See Decline. [ 1913 Webster ]