Library / English Dictionary

CONSULT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Advise professionally

Example:

The professor consults for industry

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "consult" is one way to...):

advise; counsel; rede (give advice to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue consult

Sam cannot consult Sue

Derivation:

consultant (an expert who gives advice)

consultation (a conference between two or more people to consider a particular question)

consultative; consultatory; consultive (giving advice)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Have a conference in order to talk something over

Example:

We conferred about a plan of action

Synonyms:

confab; confabulate; confer; consult

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "consult" is one way to...):

discuss; hash out; talk over (speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "consult"):

collogue (confer secretly)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence examples:

Sam cannot consult Sue

Sam wants to consult with Sue

Derivation:

consultation (a conference between two or more people to consider a particular question)

consultation (a conference (usually with someone important))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Seek information from

Example:

refer to your notes

Synonyms:

consult; look up; refer

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "consult" is one way to...):

research (attempt to find out in a systematically and scientific manner)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

consultation (the act of referring or consulting)

consultation (a conference between two or more people to consider a particular question)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Get or ask advice from

Example:

They had to consult before arriving at a decision

Synonyms:

confer with; consult

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "consult" is one way to...):

ask; enquire; inquire (address a question to and expect an answer from)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue consult

Sam cannot consult Sue

Derivation:

consultation (a conference between two or more people to consider a particular question)

consultation (a conference (usually with someone important))

consultative; consultatory; consultive (giving advice)

Credits

 Context examples: 

“Maybe you are come to a place that will not prove much to your taste, but you will not be consulted as to your quarters, I promise you.”

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

The floor was thick with mud where ruffians had sat down to drink or consult after wading in the marshes round their camp.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

These particulars struck me, I confess, disagreeably; and as I followed him into the bright light of the consulting room, I kept my hand ready on my weapon.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

He came to the Abbey two evenings ago, on purpose to consult me about it.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

He planned to buy some more clothes, to subscribe to many magazines, and to buy dozens of reference books that at present he was compelled to go to the library to consult.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

For chemicals with which you are unfamiliar, consult the Merck Index to determine whether the chemical is used in manufacturing, agriculture, or other occupational setting.

(Occupational Carcinogenesis, NCI Thesaurus)

Mr. Tregennis brought back the account to the vicarage, and I at once hurried over with him to consult you.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Whilst the two archers were keeping up a brisk fire upon the mob beneath them, Du Guesclin and his lady were consulting with Sir Nigel upon their desperate situation.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“We are glad that you have stepped up, that we might consult you as to the arrangements for giving effect to your very sporting challenge.”

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Are you consulting your own feelings in the present case, or do you imagine that you are gratifying mine?

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)