console

¹ American  

[kuhn-sohl] / kənˈsoʊl /

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 American  

[kon-sohl] / ˈkɒn soʊl /

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 British  

/ 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 British  

/ kənˈsəʊl /

verb

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

---

Related Words

See comfort.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

It was a whole day’s travel and they arrived exhausted, the parents trying to console their children despite the dread in their own hearts.

From Literature

"Nintendo's roster includes games geared towards younger audiences, and, as a handheld console, it made the Switch incredibly popular."

From BBC

The gross margin on the Switch 2 console missed Morningstar’s expectations in the December quarter, likely due to more console shipments being from Japan, where margins are thinner.

From The Wall Street Journal

The runaway success of the Switch 2 console drove up Nintendo's net profit by more than 50 percent in the nine months to December, the Japanese video game giant said Tuesday.

From Barron's

Despite the stronger results, Nintendo continues to expect to sell 19 million Switch 2 consoles by the end of March.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• assuage
• soothe