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Webster 1913 Edition

Console

Con-sole′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Consoled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Consoling
.]
[L.
consolari
,. p. p.
consolatus
;
con-
+
solari
to console, comfort: cf. F.
consoler
. See
Solace
.]
To cheer in distress or depression; to alleviate the grief and raise the spirits of; to relieve; to comfort; to soothe.
And empty heads
console
with empty sound.
Pope.
Syn. – To comfort; solace; soothe; cheer; sustain; encourage; support. See
Comfort
.

Con′sole

,
Noun.
[F.]
1.
(Arch.)
(a)
A bracket whose projection is not more than half its height.
(b)
Any small bracket; also, a console table.
Console table
,
a table whose top is supported by two or more consoles instead of legs.

Webster 1828 Edition

Console

CONSOLE

,
Verb.
T.
[L. The primary sense is either to set or allay, to give rest or quiet, or the sense is to strengthen, in which case it coincides with the root of solid. The latter is most probable.] To comfort; to cheer the mind in distress or depression; to alleviate grief, and give refreshment to the mind or spirits; to give contentment or moderate happiness by relieving from distress.
The promises of the gospel may well console the Christian in all the afflictions of life.
It is a consoling reflection that the evils of life are temporary.
I am much consoled by the reflection that the religion of Christ has been attacked in vain by all the wits and philosophers, and its triumph has been complete.

Definition 2024

console

console

See also: consolé

English

Pronunciation

Noun

console ‎(plural consoles)

  1. A stand-alone cabinet designed to stand on the floor; especially, one that houses home entertainment equipment, such as a TV or stereo system.
  2. A cabinet that controls, instruments, and displays are mounted upon.
  3. The keyboard and screen of a computer or other electronic device.
  4. (automotive) A storage tray or container mounted between the seats of an automobile.
  5. (video games) A device dedicated to playing video games, set apart from arcade cabinets by its ability to change games.
  6. (architecture) An ornamental member jutting out of a wall to carry a superincumbent weight.
Derived terms
Translations
See also

Etymology 2

Borrowing from French consoler, from Latin cōnsōlor ‎(“I console, I offer solace”), root from Proto-Indo-European *sōlh₂- ‎(“mercy, comfort”) (whence also solace).

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) enPR: kənsōlʹ, IPA(key): /kənˈsəʊl/
  • (US) enPR: kənsōlʹ, IPA(key): /kənˈsoʊl/
  • Rhymes: -əʊl

Verb

console ‎(third-person singular simple present consoles, present participle consoling, simple past and past participle consoled)

  1. (transitive) To comfort (someone) in a time of grief, disappointment, etc.
    • P. Henry
      I am much consoled by the reflection that the religion of Christ has been attacked in vain by all the wits and philosophers, and its triumph has been complete.
    • 1856: Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary, Part III Chapter X, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling
      "Do you remember, my friend, that I went to Tostes once when you had just lost your first deceased? I consoled you at that time. I thought of something to say then, but now—" Then, with a loud groan that shook his whole chest, "Ah! this is the end for me, do you see! I saw my wife go, then my son, and now to-day it's my daughter."
Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations

References

  1. ↑ Console et Train, Mot pour mot, la rubrique de Jean Pruvost, Canal Académie

French

Pronunciation

IPA(key): \kɔ̃.sɔl\

Noun

Etymology

Probably a shortened from consolateur, denoting the same architectural element, ultimately from consoler "to console, to comfort".

console f ‎(plural consoles)

  1. (architecture) a projection or spur on a wall, generally in the form of an "S", supporting a cornice, balcony etc.
    • 1883, Émile Zola, Au Bonheur des Dames:
      ‘Puis, à mesure que la charpente métallique montait, […] les consoles et les corbeaux se chargeaient de sculptures.’
  2. (carpentry) projecting piece of timber in the form of a cantilever arm
  3. (by analogy) piece of furniture abutted against a wall, serving as adornment and for the presentation of other fitments (such as pieces in bronze, clocks, vases etc.)
  4. (music) upper part of the harp holding the chords, or the controlling interface of a pipe organ
  5. (by ellipse) playing console, electronic gadget serving in order to play video games
  6. (electronics) physical interface allowing the control of an electronic system
  7. (informatics) programmed interface of a system

Verb

console

  1. first-person singular present indicative of consoler
  2. third-person singular present indicative of consoler
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of consoler
  4. first-person singular present subjunctive of consoler
  5. second-person singular imperative of consoler

Italian

Etymology

From Latin cōnsul.

Noun

console m ‎(plural consoli)

  1. consul

Related terms

Norman

Noun

console f ‎(plural consoles)

  1. (Jersey) Russian comfrey Symphytum × uplandicum

Portuguese

Noun

console m (plural consoles)

  1. console (device dedicated to playing video games)

Quotations

For usage examples of this term, see Citations:console.

Verb

console

  1. first-person singular present subjunctive of consolar
  2. third-person singular present subjunctive of consolar
  3. third-person singular imperative of consolar

Quotations

For usage examples of this term, see Citations:consolar.

Etymology

a console (bracket), decorated with a figure
operator’s console on an IBM 1620 computer (1964)

Borrowing from French console ‎(“a bracket”), from consoler ‎(“to console, to comfort”), as in verb.

Sense of “bracket” either due to a bracket alleviating the load, or due to brackets being decorated with the Christian figure of a consoler,[1] itself perhaps a pun on the first sense (alleviating load).

Originally used for the bracket itself, then for wall-mounted tables (mounted with a bracket), then for free-standing tables placed against a wall. Use for control system dates at least to 1880s for an “organ console”; use for electrical or electronic control systems dates at least to 1930s in radio, television, and system control, particularly as “mixer console” or “control console”, attached to an equipment rack. This was popularized in computers by mainframes such as the IBM 704 (1954) in terms such as “operator’s console” or “console typewriter”, and then generalized to any attached equipment, particularly for user interaction. The automotive sense harks back to earlier use as “support”.

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