consist

[verb kuh n-sist; noun kon-sist]

See more synonyms for consist on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to be made up or composed (usually followed by of): This cake consists mainly of sugar, flour, and butter.
to be comprised or contained (usually followed by in): Her charm does not consist only in her beauty.
Archaic. to exist together or be capable of existing together.

Obsolete. to insist; urge.

noun

Railroads.
1. the rolling stock, exclusive of the locomotive, making up a train.
2. a record made of this rolling stock.

Origin of consist

1520–30; < Latin consistere to stand together, stand firm, equivalent to con- con- + sistere to cause to stand, reduplicative v. akin to stāre to stand

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for consist

Contemporary Examples

Though the rings look solid, they consist of a huge number of icy particles that reflect sunlight back.
Chariklo, a Minor Planet Nicknamed a “Centaur,” Discovered to Have Rings
Matthew R. Francis
April 6, 2014
“Yes, there are dissidents and maybe they consist of one percent or two percent of the population,” he told PBS in 1999.
How to Justify Russian Aggression
Michael Moynihan
March 9, 2014
Arnold said her ten plaintiffs are just the ones they named, and she “expects the class to consist of over 100,000 people.”
Better Call Rosemarie! Meet the Lawyer Suing Christie Over Bridgegate
Olivia Nuzzi
January 16, 2014
But households are not only made up of children; they consist of—in fact they are run by—adults.
Britain’s Idiotic “Opt-In” Porn Ban
Brendan O’Neill
November 23, 2013
The challenge will consist of three seven-man teams from the UK, Commonwealth and USA – each with four wounded team members.
Prince Harry Proves He Is The Coolest Royal As he Prepares To Walk To the South Pole
Tom Sykes
November 13, 2013

Historical Examples

They consist of three groups, and there are, in all, about eighty pyramids.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 433, April 19, 1884
Various
Of what two parts does the Bible consist, and how far do they reach?
An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism
Joseph Stump
It was said to consist of twenty-four sail of the line, six frigates, and three sloops.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson
Robert Southey
It does not consist of ingenuity limited, but merely of inanity expanded.
Alarms and Discursions
G. K. Chesterton
For in intellectual perfection the highest good should consist.
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part I]
Benedict of Spinoza

British Dictionary definitions for consist

consist

verb (intr)

(foll by of) to be composed (of); be formed (of)syrup consists of sugar and water
(foll by in or of) to have its existence (in); lie (in); be expressed (by)his religion consists only in going to church
to be compatible or consistent; accord

Word Origin

C16: from Latin consistere to halt, stand firm, from sistere to stand, cause to stand; related to stāre to stand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for consist

v.

1520s, from Middle French consister (14c.) or directly from Latin consistere "to stand firm, take a standing position, stop, halt," from com- "together" (see com-) + sistere "to place," causative of stare "to be standing" (see assist). Related: Consisted; consisting.

consist

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}consist

Examples from the Web for consist

Contemporary Examples

Though the rings look solid, they consist of a huge number of icy particles that reflect sunlight back.

“Yes, there are dissidents and maybe they consist of one percent or two percent of the population,” he told PBS in 1999.

Arnold said her ten plaintiffs are just the ones they named, and she “expects the class to consist of over 100,000 people.”

But households are not only made up of children; they consist of—in fact they are run by—adults.

The challenge will consist of three seven-man teams from the UK, Commonwealth and USA – each with four wounded team members.

Historical Examples

They consist of three groups, and there are, in all, about eighty pyramids.

Of what two parts does the Bible consist, and how far do they reach?

It was said to consist of twenty-four sail of the line, six frigates, and three sloops.

It does not consist of ingenuity limited, but merely of inanity expanded.

For in intellectual perfection the highest good should consist.

consist

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for consist

v.

Origin of consist