console

¹

[ kuhn-sohl ]

verb (used with object)

, con·soled, con·sol·ing.

1. to alleviate or lessen the grief, sorrow, or disappointment of; give solace or comfort:

   Even his children could not console him when his wife died.

console

²

[ kon-sohl ]

noun

1. Also called game(s) console,. a computer system specially made for playing video games by connecting it to a television or other display for video and sound.
2. the control or monitoring unit of a computer, containing the keyboard or keys, switches, etc.
3. a television, phonograph, or radio cabinet designed to stand on the floor rather than on a table or shelf.
4. a desklike structure containing the keyboards, pedals, etc., by means of which an organ is played.
5. a small cabinet standing on the floor and having doors.
6. console table none.
7. the control unit of a mechanical, electrical, or electronic system:

   the console that controls a theater's lighting system.

8. Architecture. an ornamental corbel or bracket, especially one high in relation to its projection.
9. Automotive. a tray or container typically divided into compartments, mounted between bucket seats, and used for storing small items.
10. Nautical. a unit on a vessel containing steering apparatus, systems monitoring equipment, etc.:

    a bridge console, an engine-room console.

console

¹

/ ˈkɒnsəʊl /

noun

1. an ornamental bracket, esp one used to support a wall fixture, bust, etc
2. the part of an organ comprising the manuals, pedals, stops, etc
3. a unit on which the controls of an electronic system are mounted
4. See games console
   same as games console
5. a cabinet for a television, gramophone, etc, designed to stand on the floor
6. See console table
   See console table

console

²

/ kənˈsəʊl /

verb

1. to serve as a source of comfort to (someone) in disappointment, loss, sadness, etc

Derived Forms

• conˈsoler, noun
• conˈsolable, adjective
• conˈsolingly, adverb

Other Words From

• con·sol·a·ble adjective
• con·sol·er noun
• in·con·sol·a·ble adjective
• un·con·sol·a·ble adjective
• un·con·sol·a·bly adverb
• un·con·soled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of console¹

First recorded in 1685–95; either from French consoler or directly from Latin consōlārī, equivalent to con- con- + sōlārī “to soothe” ( solace ); perhaps akin to Old English sǣl “happiness” ( seely )

Origin of console²

First recorded in 1700–10; from French; Middle French consolle “bracket, support,” apparently shortening of consolateur (attested in Middle French with same sense), literally, “one who consoles” (from Late Latin consōlātor; console ¹none, -ator none ), perhaps because such supports served as rests in choir stalls, etc.; misericord none

Word History and Origins

Origin of console¹

C18: from French, shortened from Old French consolateur one that provides support, hence, supporting bracket, from Latin consōlātor a comforter; see console ¹

Origin of console²

C17: from Latin consōlārī, from sōlārī to comfort; see solace

Synonym Study

See comfort.

Example Sentences

Nintendo Switch video game consoles have been difficult to find during the coronavirus pandemic.

From Fortune

According to Pachter, Nintendo usually stockpiles consoles during the first half of the year to get ready for a surge late in the year.

From Fortune

We know variety is crucial when it comes to learning experiences, and it is unhealthy whenever any kid is glued to their computer screen or console and not spending enough time exercising outside.

From Voice of San Diego

Microsoft also has LinkedIn’s advertising business, and the company sells ads that run on its Xbox gaming consoles.

From Digiday

The quickest and easiest place to start is Google’s own search console, which offers tools and reports to improve your website’s search presence.

From Search Engine Watch

As McSpadden wailed in grief, Head climbed on the hood of the car to console her.

From The Daily Beast

The teenager was shaken by the incident, and his father remembers having to console him for hours that day.

From The Daily Beast

This woke her husband, who questioned and tried to console her, to no avail.

From The Daily Beast

The purpose of art,” Bemelmans once said, “is to console and amuse—myself, and, I hope, others.

From The Daily Beast

Neve, often credited as the creator of the recording console, has been making high quality large format consoles for decades.

From The Daily Beast

It has come to this—that I open my newspaper every morning with a sinking heart, and usually I find little to console me.

From Project Gutenberg

"Perhaps I can write to you," Hugh tried to console her, feeling horribly guilty and helpless.

From Project Gutenberg

Ledit Sieur le console, & le fait enlever de la pour le mener avec lui.

From Project Gutenberg

Our illustration (Fig. 8) gives a good idea of the appearance of a modern Hope-Jones console.

From Project Gutenberg

A stop-knob bearing the inscription, "Noli me tangere" (touch me not), was attached to the console.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assuage
• soothe