console

[ kuh n-sohl ]

/ kənˈsoʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR console ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·soled, con·sol·ing.

to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow, or disappointment of; give solace or comfort: Only his children could console him when his wife died.

Nearby words

consolation of philosophy, the, consolation prize, consolations, consolato del mare, consolatory, console, console game, console table, consolette, consolidate, consolidated

Origin of console

1685–95; (< French consoler) < Latin consōlārī, equivalent to con- con- + sōlārī to soothe (see solace); perhaps akin to Old English sǣl happiness (see seely)

Related forms

con·sol·a·ble, adjectivecon·sol·er, nouncon·sol·ing·ly, adverbnon·con·sol·a·ble, adjective

non·con·sol·ing, adjectivenon·con·sol·ing·ly, adverbself-con·sol·ing, adjectiveun·con·sol·a·ble, adjectiveun·con·sol·a·bly, adverbun·con·soled, adjectiveun·con·sol·ing, adjectiveun·con·sol·ing·ly, adverb

Synonym study

See comfort.

Definition for console (2 of 2)

console

[ kon-sohl ]

/ ˈkɒn soʊl /

noun

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

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

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

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

a small cabinet standing on the floor and having doors.

console table.

the control unit of a mechanical, electrical, or electronic system: the console that controls a theater's lighting system.

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

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

Nautical. a unit on a vessel containing steering apparatus, systems monitoring equipment, etc.: a bridge console, an engine-room console.

Origin of console

1700–10; < French; Middle French consolle bracket or support, apparently shortening of consolateur (attested in MF with same sense) literally, one who consoles (< Late Latin consōlātor; see console¹, -ator), perhaps because such supports served as rests in choir stalls, etc.; cf. misericord

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for console

As McSpadden wailed in grief, Head climbed on the hood of the car to console her.
The Baptism of Michael Brown Sr. and Ferguson’s Baptism by Fire|Justin Glawe|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The teenager was shaken by the incident, and his father remembers having to console him for hours that day.
In Jerusalem Home Demolitions, the Biblical Justice of Revenge|Creede Newton|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This woke her husband, who questioned and tried to console her, to no avail.
Knocking on Heaven's Door: True Stories of Unexplained, Uncanny Experiences at the Hour of Death|Patricia Pearson|August 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The purpose of art,” Bemelmans once said, “is to console and amuse—myself, and, I hope, others.
Madeline’s New York Moment: Ludwig Bemelmans’ Heroine Comes Home|Erin Cunningham|July 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Rupert Neve Designs crafted the console that lives at Third Man Records.
Jack White Sets World Record for Fastest Record Release|April Siese|April 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We must now console ourselves with the hope that we shall soon terminate the business.
Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez, Vol. I|Sir John Ross
"Perhaps I can write to you," Hugh tried to console her, feeling horribly guilty and helpless.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
The poor boy had suffered so much that it was her duty to console him, and atone for her past neglect.
File No. 113|Emile Gaboriau
I endeavoured to console him as well as I could, and suggested, that if the worst came to the worst, the part might be read.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 1, December 18, 1841|Various
If it be the will of Providence that we fall, we shall have at least the thought to console us that we die innocent.
The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. Titmarsh|William Makepeace Thackeray

British Dictionary definitions for console (1 of 2)

console

/ (kənˈsəʊl) /

verb

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

Derived Formsconsolable, adjectiveconsoler, nounconsolingly, adverb

Word Origin for console

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

British Dictionary definitions for console (2 of 2)

console

/ (ˈkɒnsəʊl) /

noun

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

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

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

same as games console

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

See console table

Word Origin for console

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

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 console (1 of 2)

console

1690s, from French consoler "to comfort, console," from Latin consolari "offer solace, encourage, comfort, cheer," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + solari "to comfort" (see solace). Or perhaps a back-formation from consolation. The Latin word is glossed in Old English by frefran. Related: Consoled; consoling.

Word Origin and History for console (1 of 2)

console

1706, "a cabinet; an ornamental base structure," from French console "a bracket" (16c.), of uncertain origin, possibly from Middle French consolateur, literally "one who consoles," word used for carved human figures supporting cornices, shelves or rails in choir stalls. Another guess connects it to Latin consolidare. Sense evolved to "body of a musical organ" (1881), "radio cabinet" (1925), then "cabinet for a TV, stereo, etc." (1944).

console

verb (used with object), con·soled, con·sol·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of console

Synonym study

Definition for console (2 of 2)

console

noun

Origin of console

Examples from the Web for console

British Dictionary definitions for console (1 of 2)

console

verb

Word Origin for console

British Dictionary definitions for console (2 of 2)

console

noun

Word Origin for console

Word Origin and History for console (1 of 2)

console

Word Origin and History for console (1 of 2)

console