consequence etymology

Etymology and Meaning of "Consequence"

Origin: * Middle French: consequence * Late Latin: consequentia, from consequent-, consequens, present participle of consequi ("to follow, overtake")

Meaning: * The result or effect of an action or event * The significance or importance of an action or event * A logical implication or conclusion drawn from a premise or set of premises

Historical Development of the Term:

In medieval Latin, "consequentia" referred to the logical connection between a premise and its conclusion. This sense of logical consequence was also present in Middle French, but the term also acquired a broader meaning of "result" or "effect." In English, the word "consequence" has been used since the 14th century, initially with the meaning of "logical deduction" but gradually expanding to include its modern meanings of "result" and "significance."

Usage:

The word "consequence" is commonly used in various contexts, including:

  • Law: The legal consequences of an act or omission
  • Ethics: The moral consequences of a decision or action
  • Philosophy: The logical consequences of an argument or theory
  • Everyday language: The unintended or undesirable consequences of an action or event

Examples:

  • "His reckless driving had serious consequences, including a car accident."
  • "The company's decision to outsource production had significant economic consequences."
  • "The logical consequence of this premise is that all triangles have equal angles."
  • "There are often unforeseen consequences to our actions."

consequence relate terms

  • consequences

    Etymology From Middle English consequences from Old French consequances plural from

  • consequence

    Etymology and Meaning of Consequence Origin Middle French consequence Late Latin

  • consequent

    Etymology Late Middle English from Latin consequens present participle of consequi f

  • antecedent

    Etymology Latin antecedēns present participle of antecēdō to go ahead to preced

  • consequence

    Etymology and Meaning of Consequence Origin Middle French consequence Late Latin

  • consequent

    Etymology Late Middle English from Latin consequens present participle of consequi f

  • effect

    Etymology Middle English effect from Old French effect effec from Latin effectus p

  • outcome

    Etymology From Middle English out come from Old English ūt cuman from ūt out

  • result

    Etymology The word result comes from the Middle English word resulte which in turn

  • sequel

    Etymology The word sequel comes from the Latin word sequēla which means a following

  • immaterial

    Etymology The word immaterial is derived from the Latin phrase in materialis meanin

  • incur

    Etymology The word incur comes from the Late Latin verb incurrere which means to r

  • hyperalgesia

    Etymology Greek hyper excessive algesis pain Meaning Hyperalgesia refers to

  • influence

    Etymology Middle English influence from Old French influence from Late Latin influ

  • warder

    Etymology Old English weardere from Proto West Germanic warderaz from Proto Germanic

  • reward

    Etymology Middle English rewarde from Anglo French rewarde reward from Old French r