consequence
Meaning
a result or effect of an action, condition, or event.
importance or relevance.
Structure
Usage
the company faced serious financial consequences after the failed product launch.
he is a figure of great consequence in the scientific community.
she considered the potential consequences before making her decision.
Etymology
the word "consequence" has a clear logical lineage from latin. it is built from the prefix 'con-' (together) and the verb 'sequi' (to follow), combined with the abstract noun-forming suffix '-entia'. the literal sense is "that which follows together with (something else)". this evolved from the physical idea of one event following another to the modern abstract meanings of a resultant effect or outcome, and by extension, the importance of something that logically follows from a premise.
Analysis
- con: from latin, meaning "together, with". a prefix indicating association. - sequ: from latin root 'sequi', meaning "to follow". a bound root. - ence: from latin '-entia', a noun-forming suffix denoting a state, quality, or action.