definitions

consist

[ verb kuh n-sist; noun kon-sist ]
/ verb kənˈsɪst; noun ˈkɒn sɪst /
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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.

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RELATED WORDS

dwell, subsist, lie, be, repose, inhere, rest, abide

Nearby words

consigner, consignment, consignment store, consignor, consilience, consist, consistence, consistency, consistency principle, consistent, consistent equations

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for consist

British Dictionary definitions for consist

consist

/ (kənˈsɪst) /

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 for consist

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

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper