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. same as games console
5. a cabinet for a television, gramophone, etc, designed to stand on the floor
6. See console table

console

²

/ kənˈsəʊl /

verb

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

Derived Forms

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

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

The self-taught British composer David Wise, with valuable contributions from Robin Beanland and Eveline Fischer, had managed to coax a richer variety of sounds than had ever emanated from a game console.

From New York Times

Mr Woodman said there was heat and fire damage under the surface the TV and console were on, adding that “charring” was seen underneath the area, although there wasn’t photographic evidence.

From BBC

One of the main ones was about the game's performance on the Switch console, which was released back in 2017.

From BBC

"I was completely out of my mind. The officer tried to console me with his words, but I felt that my life was over."

From BBC

England's players, including substituted man Smith, consoled Ford as they trudged away from another painful loss.

From BBC

Related Words

• assuage
• soothe