Middle English Dictionary Entry
consequence n.
Entry Info
| Forms | consequence n. |
| Etymology | OF; cp. L consequentia. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The effect or result (as of an act); (b) bi (in) ~, as a result or consequence, consequently.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)6448 : Whoso hath in his felyng The consequence of such shryvyng, Shal sen [etc.].
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)3171 : Bet it is to sle þe mordreman Than suffre hym regne..for þe consequence.
b
- (?1410) Hoccl.Somer(2) (Hnt HM 111)67 : Reule þat day, for the thank shal be youre; Dooth as yow list..in consequence.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)18a/b : Þe brayn haþ comunicacion of þis &, bi consequens i. sewing, al þe body.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)78a/b : Of þis forsoþ renne þai in to þat pernicious accident of aking..of which þay may be spasmed and, bi consequens, dye.
- c1475-a1600(a1473) Fortescue Declaration (Clermont)530 : He myght not be heire to quene Isabell, and by the consequens tharof, he might not have hadd the Roialme of Fraunce.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.21 : Nowe be ye knowe of your title to Englande, By consequens to Wales and Scotlande, For they perteyne..to the crowne of Englande.
2.
(a) That which follows logically from a premise, an inference or conclusion; concluden ~, to draw a conclusion, conclude; seuen of ~, follow logically; (b) the process of reasoning or drawing conclusions.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.2.72 : 'Alle folk thanne,' quod sche, 'goode and eek badde, enforcen hem withoute difference of entencioun to comen to good.' 'This is a verray consequence,' quod I.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.2.92 : He ne mai nat considere the nature of thinges ne the consequence of resouns.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)4.pr.2.135 : The consequence is open..that nedes goode folk moten be myghty and schrewes feble.
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)p.153 : Than will it sewen evene of consequence Þat þou were foule, but-if þou were commended.
- c1475(1459) Pros.Yorkists in EHR 26 (Roy 17.D.15)521 : Hit is a schrewyde consequence: The peple favoureth hem, ergo thay be good.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)62/11 : The consequence is fals.
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)7466-70 : Shalt thou never of apparence Sen conclude good consequence In non argument..For men may fynde alway sophyme, The consequence to envenyme.
b
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)2302 : I kan preven..By a maner consequence, That nature And also I Be conbyned so Iustly.
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)1.258 : To teeche hir of retoryk and gramer the scole..the figures and the conseqvens, The declynacions..the modys.
- 1532-1897(c1385) Usk TL (Thynne:Skeat)108/82 : Every good servaunt, by reson of consequence, muste do good nedes.