consequence

[kon-si-kwens, -kwuh ns] /ˈkɒn sɪˌkwɛns, -kwəns/
noun
1.
the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier:
The accident was the consequence of reckless driving.
2.
an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.
3.
the conclusion reached by a line of reasoning; inference.
4.
importance or significance:
a matter of no consequence.
5.
importance in rank or position; distinction:
a man of great consequence in art.
Idioms
6.
in consequence, consequently; as a result; hence:
He withdrew from the world, and in consequence was forgotten.
7.
in consequence of, as a result of; on account of:
A trial was held in consequence of the investigation.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French) < Latin consequentia. See consequent, -ence
Related forms
nonconsequence, noun
superconsequence, noun
Synonyms
1. outcome, issue, upshot, sequel. See effect. 4. moment, weight. See importance.
Antonyms
1. cause.
Examples from the web for consequence
  • Some experts say it is a consequence of imagining the action before you make a move.
  • Nonprofits gain their nonprofit status directly as a consequence of their mission.
  • Social action is not a consequence of belief, in other words.
  • When these skinks encounter cane toads, they eat them without consequence.
  • But the unintended consequence of litigation run amok, argues the profession, is that audit quality is worse.
  • Speaking of unintended consequence public limelight should be careful what is wished for.
  • Whatever the long-term effects of making the court independent, in the short run it has one presumably unintended consequence.
  • To him, it is a consequence of the computer industry's shifting geology.
  • Another will consider how economics needs to change as a consequence.
  • The consequence is to inactivate the gene being methylated.
British Dictionary definitions for consequence

consequence

/ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/
noun
1.
a result or effect of some previous occurrence
2.
an unpleasant result (esp in the phrase take the consequences)
3.
significance or importance: it's of no consequence, a man of consequence
4.
(logic)
  1. a conclusion reached by reasoning
  2. the conclusion of an argument
  3. the relations between the conclusion and the premises of a valid argument
5.
the relation between an effect and its cause
6.
in consequence, as a result
Word Origin and History for consequence
n.

late 14c., "inference, conclusion," from Old French consequence "result" (13c., Modern French conséquence), from Latin consequentia, from consequentem (nominative consequens), present participle of consequi "to follow after," from com- "with" (see com-) + sequi "to follow" (see sequel). Sense of "importance" (c.1600) is from notion of being "pregnant with consequences."

Idioms and Phrases with consequence

consequence

see: