Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Consistence?

\Con*sist"ence\, Consistency \Con*sist"en*cy\, n. [Cf. F. consistance.] 1. The condition of standing or adhering together, or being fixed in union, as the parts of a body; existence; firmness; coherence; solidity. Water, being divided, maketh many circles, till it restore itself to the natural consistence. --Bacon. We are as water, weak, and of no consistence. --Jer. Taylor. The same form, substance, and consistency. --T. Burnet. 2. A degree of firmness, density, or spissitude. Let the expressed juices be boiled into the consistence of a sirup. --Arbuthnot. 3. That which stands together as a united whole; a combination. The church of God, as meaning the whole consistence of orders and members. --Milton. 4. Firmness of constitution or character; substantiality; durability; persistency. His friendship is of a noble make and a lasting consistency. --South. 5. Agreement or harmony of all parts of a complex thing among themselves, or of the same thing with itself at different times; the harmony of conduct with profession; congruity; correspondence; as, the consistency of laws, regulations, or judicial decisions; consistency of opinions; consistency of conduct or of character. That consistency of behavior whereby he inflexibly pursues those measures which appear the most just. --Addison. Consistency, thou art a jewel. --Popular Saying.