[a. F. conséquent (14th c. in Littré), ad. L. consequent-em, pr. pple. of consequī to follow closely, attend upon: see CONSECUTE.]
1. Following as an effect or result; resulting.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1570), 35. But loke therof what foloweth consequent.
1616. Bullokar, Consequent, following or necessarily comming after another thing.
1712. Spect., No. 551, ¶ 1. That Praise should be returned them, as one proper consequent Reward of their Performances.
1800. Colquhoun, Comm. Thames, Introd. The very rapid increase of Trade, and the consequent influx of Wealth.
1840. Hood, Up the Rhine, 2. Causing sudden derangements of the circulation … and consequent physical depressions.
b. Const. on, upon, to.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xiii. Whatsoever … is consequent to a time of war.
1660. Jer. Taylor, Worthy Commun., I. iv. 86. Consequent to a worthy communion.
a. 1716. South, 12 Serm. (1727), II. 168. This Satisfaction or Dissatisfaction of Mind, consequent upon a Man’s acting suitably, or unsuitably to it.
1809. W. Irving, Knickerb., I. iii. How events … to the common observer unconnected, are inevitably consequent the one to the other.
1849. Ruskin, Sev. Lamps, ii. § 9. 36. The necessities consequent on the employment of those materials.
2. Following as an inference or logical conclusion.
1638. Chillingw., Relig. Prot., I. i. § 10. In this sence it [the conclusion] is neither consequent nor true.
1647. Jer. Taylor, Lib. Proph., i. 14. A new proposition though consequent from an Article of Faith, becomes not therefore a part of the Faith.
a. 1680. Butler, Elephant in Moon, 155, in Rem. (1759), I. 10.
| ’Tis consequent, she shou’d bring forth | |
| Far greater Beasts too, than the Earth. |
† 3. Following in time or order, succeeding, subsequent. Obs.
1475. [see CONSEQUENTLY 1].
1581. W. Charke, in Confer., IV. (1584), D d iiij b. In workes consequent or following he might glorie.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus’ Ann., III. ii. (1622), 69. Not onely among such as then liued, but in times consequent.
a. 1616. Beaum. & Fl., Knt. Malta, V. ii. Thy memory … Shall monumentally be registered To ages consequent.
1637. R. Humphrey, trans. St. Ambrose, Introd. As the consequent words make evident.
1742. H. Walpole, Lett. H. Mann, I. xxv. 162. I hope you have received mine regularly since, that you may know all the consequent steps.
4. Observing or characterized by logical sequence of thought or reasoning; logically consistent.
1849. Lewes, Robesp., 124. As property had been defined by Rousseau to be in itself a spoliation … Robespierre was only consequent in his demand. Ibid. (1879), Study Psychol., 122. To be consequent, they should have shewn that [etc.].
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (186) II. 19 The idealism of Emerson is more subjective, his pantheism more complete and consequent.
† 5. Of consequence, important (to). Obs. rare.
1658–9. Burton’s Diary (1828), IV. 125. That the distribution is not equal, is not consequent to any member in this House, unless he speak for a county or borough of that nation.
6. Consequent points (in Magnetism) = CONSECUTIVE poles: see quots.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xx. 144. It is quite easy to develope in the same piece of steel several pairs of poles; and if the magnetization be irregular, this is sometimes done when we wish to avoid it. These irregular poles are called consequent points.
1882. trans. Deschanel’s Nat. Phil., § 689. In this case the magnet will have not only a pole at each end, but also a pole at each point where the reversal occurs. These intermediate poles are called consequent points.
7. quasi-adv.
1692. Locke, Educ., § 136. And consequent to this, instil into him a Love and Reverence of this Supreme Being.
1696. Stanhope, Chr. Pattern (1711), 304. And consequent to that, fill my soul with pure and holy affections.
