March 26th, 2007
Consequence
con – se – quence [kon-si-kwens, -kwuh ns]
–noun
1. the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier: the police action was a consequence of the teen’s vandalism.
2. an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.
3. the conclusion reached by a line of reasoning; inference.
4. importance or significance: a matter of no consequence.
5. importance in rank or position; distinction: a man of great consequence in art.
[Origin: 1350–1400; ME ( AF) L consequentia.]