a. [f. L. consequentia CONSEQUENCE + -AL.]
1. Of the nature of a consequence or sequel; following, esp. as an effect or result; consequent.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 6. Moneys were misimployed … in the two dishonourable treaties of Spain and Germany, and the consequential entertainments.
1704. Prior, Lett. to Boileau, 193. A consequential Ill which Freedom draws; A bad Effect, but from a noble Cause.
1829. S. Turner, Hist. Eng., IV. II. xxviii. 241. Wars and their consequential burthens.
1842. W. Grove, Corr. Phys. Forces, 109. Each is connected with anterior changes, and … productive of consequential changes.
b. Const. on, upon, † to.
1652. J. Hall, Height Eloq., p. xxi. Accidents that are either inherent or consequentiall to love and melancholy.
1674. Owen, Holy Spirit (1693), 94. The stipulation of obedience on our part is consequential thereupon.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. 422. [The relation] of parent and child … is consequential to that of marriage.
1873. Act 36–7 Vict., c. 88 § 26. All matters preliminary and incidental to and consequential on such trial and punishment.
2. Of the nature of a consequence merely, not direct or immediate; eventual.
Consequential damages: ‘losses or injuries which follow an act, but are not direct and immediate upon it’ (Wharton).
1626. W. Sclater, Expos. 2 Thess. (1629), 201. I finde direct, or consequentiall repugnancie, and contradiction, twixt their pretended traditions, and writings.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. viii. § 3. It was harsh to inflict immediate and direct death for a consequential and deductory felony.
1657. Burton’s Diary (1828), II. 128. They have not an immediate, but only a consequential right to be heard in this.
1792. Burke, Lett. Sir H. Langrishe, Wks. 1842, I. 546. To be utterly excluded from all its direct and all its consequential advantages.
1876. Gladstone, Synchr. Homer, 226. There is a difference between direct contradiction, and merely consequential or casual inconsistency.
3. Following as an inference or conclusion. Const. on, upon († to, of, from).
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. xx. 208. Their deductions, and consequentiall inferences.
1695. Ld. Preston, Boeth., IV. 180. These are consequential to our former Conclusions.
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 156, ¶ 3. The genuine shoots of consequential reasoning, which grow out of some radical postulate.
1773. J. Allen, Serm. St. Mary’s Oxf., 11 To assert what is clearly consequential of our belief.
a. 1849. Poe, Marginalia, Wks. 1864, III. 533. The incidents are consequential from the premises.
1882. Gladstone, in Manch. Guard., 8 Feb. A motion … consequential upon the resolution which the House has adopted.
4. Characterized by logical sequence or consistency; = CONSEQUENT a. 4.
1659. Vulgar Errors Censured, 70. ’Tis not consequentiall arguing from a not-declaring to a not-knowing.
1691–8. Norris, Pract. Disc. (1711), III. 223. The substance of this author’s reasoning … is so solid and consequential.
1748. Chesterf., Lett., II. clx. 73. Every man is more the man of the day, than a regular and consequential character.
1825. Coleridge, Aids Refl. (1848), I. 104. A consistent and strictly consequential Materialism.
† b. Having continuous sequence in time. Obs.
1681. Colvil, Whigs Supplic. (1751), 138. It is no popish superstition, By consequential tradition To prove an article of faith.
† 5. Pregnant with consequences, of consequence, important. Obs.
1728. Fielding, Love in Sev. Masques, I. v. 16. An Affair … of a consequential Essence.
1757. W. Thompson, R. N. Advoc., 13, note. To preside … over that consequential Branch of the King’s Business.
1798. W. Hutton, Autobiog., 29. No event in a man’s life is more consequential than marriage.
1807. G. Chalmers, Caledonia, I. Pref. 9. The true site of that consequential conflict.
1821. T. Campbell, in New Monthly Mag., I. 6. He must withhold no consequential fact.
6. Of persons: a. Having social consequence.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple, xxxi. A dignity ball is a ball given by the most consequential of their coloured people.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Berkeley, I. i. 8. Mr. C. bustled about … feeling himself the most consequential man in the town.
b. Having or displaying a high opinion of one’s own importance; self-important.
1758. Herald, No. 25. II. 168. Our women … to make him both too consequential and saucy.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, 7 May, an. 1773. Goldsmith was sometimes content to be treated with an easy familiarity, but upon occasions, would be consequential and important.
1816. ‘Quiz,’ Grand Master, VIII. 225. He here consider’d it essential To shew he could be consequential.
1875. Farrar, Seekers, I. iii. 42. Pampered and consequential freedmen.
† B. sb. pl. Consequential matters or inferences.
a. 1734. North, Exam., I. i. (1740), 29. Our Author’s precious Observations out of the Lord Clarendon’s History and some Consequentials.
