[a. F. conséquent, ad. L. consequens, -ent-, a consequence, subst. use of pr. pple.: see next.]
† 1. = CONSEQUENCE 1. Obs. exc. as in b.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melib., ¶ 421 (Harl. MS.) Let vs now examyne þe þridde poynt þat Tullius clepeþ consequente. Þou schalt vnderstonde þat þe vengeance þat þou purposiddest for to take is consequent [Ellesm. the consequent].
1423. James I., Kingis Q., clxxxix. That haue convoyit hale … My lufe and to [so] glade a consequent.
1577. Vautrouillier, Luther on Ep. Gal., 189. By certeine effects and consequents, we are fully assured.
1662. J. Chandler, Van Helmont’s Oriat., 236. So great was the consequent of this prosperous and easie invention.
1756. P. Browne, Jamaica, 226. The neglect of which has frequently been the cause of very dismal consequents in those warm climates.
b. (Contrasted with antecedent.) A phenomenon or event that follows another (without implication of causal connection).
a. 1627. W. Sclater, Expos. Rom., iv. (1650). Faith is an antecedent, no cause properly of justification; justification [is] a consequent of believing, no effect issuing out of the virtue and merit of faith.
1650. Hobbes, Hum. Nature, iv. (R.). When a man hath so often observed like antecedents to be followed by like consequents.
1829. Jas. Mill, Anal. Hum. Mind (1878), I. xi. 350. The word cause means the antecedent of a consequent where the connection is constant.
1872. H. Spencer, Psychol., I. II. ii. 194. A constant ratio between the physical antecedent and the psychical consequent.
1878. Morley, Carlyle, Crit. Misc. Ser. I. 199. The effect is the inevitable consequent of the cause.
† 2. Logic. = CONSEQUENCE 3. Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., III. ix. 84. Þan folweþ it quod she þat we adden clernesse of renoun to þe þre forseide þinges … and þis is a consequente quod I.
1529. More, Supplic. Soulys, Wks. 315/1. A very child almoste may see the consequent.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., 12. Happily may no necessarie consequent be drawen.
1647. Jer. Taylor, Dissuas. Popery, i. (1686), 87. The consequent of this is, that by the law of Christ, one Bishop is not superior to another.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., II. I. 214. Do they so say expressly; or is it only a consequent of their Doctrine?
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 267. Who … will conceive it ever feasible to alter any fundamental point of the common law, with all it’s appendages and consequents.
1837–8. Sir W. Hamilton, Logic, xv. I. 282. The Syllogism is divided into two parts, the Antecedent and the Consequent—the antecedent comprehending the two propositions [premisses] … and the consequent comprising the one proposition [the conclusion].
b. The second part of a conditional proposition, dependent upon the antecedent.
1628. T. Spencer, Logick, 231. There is required vnto the truth of a Conditionall proposition, that the Consequent follow vpon the Antecedent.
1746. Wesley, Princ. Methodist, 35. The Antecedent is false. Therefore the Consequent falls of course.
1876. Jevons, Elem. Logic (1880), 162. The only rule … requisite for testing the validity of [hypothetical] syllogisms … viz. that either the antecedent must be affirmed, or the consequent denied.
3. (Contrasted with antecedent.) Anything that follows something else in order, e.g., in the context of a writing.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus, To Rdr. By the helpe of … comparing of Scriptures with themselues, antecedents with consequents, obscure places with plainer.
1659. Bp. Walton, Consid. Considered, 67. The consideration of Antecedents and Consequents, of places parallel, of the analogie of faith, the testimonies, Expositions & Translations of the Ancients, &c. help to rectifie a corruption crept in.
1660. Bp. Parry, David Restored, lxxiii. And this, the consequents do sufficiently evidence.
b. Math. The second of two numbers or magnitudes in a ratio; the second and fourth in a series of four proportionals.
1570. Billingsley, Euclid, V. 127. The second Terme, namely, that wherunto the comparison is made, is called the consequent.
1594. Blundevil, Exerc., I. xx. (ed. 7), 46. When the Antecedent contayneth the Consequent more then once, and nothing remayneth, as 4 to 2.
1827. Hutton, Course Math., I. 120. The sum of the antecedents is to their difference, as the sum of the consequents is to their difference.
c. Mus. (See quot.)
1869. Ouseley, Counterp., xv. 95. The leading part [in a Canon] is called the antecedent, the following part the consequent.
† 4. A person who follows or comes after; a follower; also, one who pursues. Obs.
1550. Nicolls, Thucyd., 49 (R.). These were the allyes and consequentes, and also the preparations of the one partye, and of the other.
1609. Man in Moone, in Halliw., Character. Bks. (1857), 95. He is the ante-ambulo of a gentlewoman, the consequent of a gentleman, the antecedent of a port-mantua, or a cloke-bagge; a serving man.
1654. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), III. 65. The consequent of Truth hath ever been in danger of his teeth.
† 5. Phr. By consequent: = by consequence. Obs. [F. par conséquent (14th c. in Littré).)
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., I. vii. 18. Thyse sayd condycions bylongen to a good conestable and by consequent to the marchallis.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. x. § 2. The subject being so variable, hath made the art by consequent more conjectural.
1615. J. Stephens, Satyr. Ess., 401. A Friend … more to be admired; and by the consequent more precious.
1677. Gale, Crt. Gentiles, II. III. 137. Philosophie and Curiosie corrupted this noble schole of Alexandria, and by consequent the Church.
1685. A. Lovell, trans. Simon’s Crit. Hist. Relig., 33. Which, by consequent give occasion to doubt of the Sincerity of these Records.
† b. In the consequent: in the result. Obs. (Cf. CONSEQUENCE 4 d.)
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., Ep. Ded. 2. In the consequent there would be no vertue, and no felicity.
† 6. = CONSEQUENCE 5, 6. Obs.
1599. Porter, Angry Wom. Abingt. (Percy Soc.), 48. What though that honest Hodge haue cut his finger heere?… ’tis no consequent to me.
1640. Canterb. Self-Convict., 41. A matter of very dangerous consequent.
