console

¹

[kuhn-sohl]

verb (used with object)

consoled, consoling 

1. to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow, or disappointment of; give solace or comfort.

   Even his children could not console him when his wife died.

console

²

[kon-sohl]

noun

1. Also called video game console. Also called game(s) console,. Also called gaming console,. a computer system specially made for playing video games by connecting it to a television or other display for video and sound.

2. the control or monitoring unit of a computer, containing the keyboard or keys, switches, etc.

3. a television, phonograph, or radio cabinet designed to stand on the floor rather than on a table or shelf.

4. a desklike structure containing the keyboards, pedals, etc., by means of which an organ is played.

5. a small cabinet standing on the floor and having doors.

6. console table.

7. the control unit of a mechanical, electrical, or electronic system.

   the console that controls a theater's lighting system.

8. Architecture.,  an ornamental corbel or bracket, especially one high in relation to its projection.

9. Automotive.,  a tray or container typically divided into compartments, mounted between bucket seats, and used for storing small items.

10. Nautical.,  a unit on a vessel containing steering apparatus, systems monitoring equipment, etc..

    a bridge console, an engine-room console.

console

¹

/ ˈkɒnsəʊl /

noun

1. an ornamental bracket, esp one used to support a wall fixture, bust, etc

2. the part of an organ comprising the manuals, pedals, stops, etc

3. a unit on which the controls of an electronic system are mounted

4. same as games console

5. a cabinet for a television, gramophone, etc, designed to stand on the floor

6. See console table

console

²

/ kənˈsəʊl /

verb

1. to serve as a source of comfort to (someone) in disappointment, loss, sadness, etc

Other Word Forms

• consolable adjective
• consoler noun
• inconsolable adjective
• unconsolable adjective
• unconsolably adverb
• unconsoled adjective
• consolingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of console¹

First recorded in 1685–95; either from French consoler or directly from Latin consōlārī, equivalent to con- con- + sōlārī “to soothe” ( solace ); perhaps akin to Old English sǣl “happiness” ( seely )

Origin of console²

First recorded in 1700–10; from French; Middle French consolle “bracket, support,” apparently shortening of consolateur (attested in Middle French with same sense), literally, “one who consoles” (from Late Latin consōlātor; console ¹ , -ator ), perhaps because such supports served as rests in choir stalls, etc.; misericord

Word History and Origins

Origin of console¹

C18: from French, shortened from Old French consolateur one that provides support, hence, supporting bracket, from Latin consōlātor a comforter; see _console ¹

Origin of console²

C17: from Latin consōlārī, from sōlārī to comfort; see _solace

Synonym Study

See comfort.

Example Sentences

She sent encouraging emails to players and coaches after games, celebrating or consoling them depending on the outcome.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Our episode didn’t capture scenes of us consoling the oldest when his night terrors returned or taking calls from school on shoot days when the youngest begged to come home.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

These include committing to delaying giving children any devices of their own as long as possible—no tablets, no gaming consoles, nada.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I’m pleased to report that the car’s most beguiling bit of cabin jewelry—the faceted gear selector, like a steampunk gaming cube embedded in the center console—made it through to the latest redesign.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An array of emphatically tactile vehicle-control switches and buttons live in the center console—including a fingerprint reader, allowing the car to identify the driver and reset the preferences.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• assuage 
• soothe