All 5 Uses of
consequence
in
The Odyssey, by Homer - (translated by: Cowper)
- It is certain that in Homer the word is declined not as +outis-tinos+ which signifies no man, but as +outis-tidos+ making +outin+ in the accusative, consequently as a proper name.
Book 9 *consequently = resultantly (as a result)
- In consequence of Circe's instructions, after having spent a complete year in her palace, he prepares for a voyage to the infernal regions.†
Book 10consequence = result
- [64] +Theos+—without a relative, and consequently signifying GOD in the abstract, is not unfrequently found in Homer, though fearing to give offence to serious minds unacquainted with the original, I have not always given it that force in the translation.
Book 14consequently = resultantly (as a result)
- Eurymachus, provoked by a speech of Ulysses, flings a foot-stool at him, which knocks down the cup-bearer; a general tumult is the consequence, which continues, till by the advice of Telemachus, seconded by Amphinomus, the suitors retire to their respective homes.†
Book 18consequence = result
- arms which the Gods Ordain'd of such dire consequence to Greece, 680 Which caused thy death, our bulwark!†
Book 11
Definitions:
-
(1)
(consequence as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
-
(2)
(consequence as in: of little consequence) importance or relevance
-
(3)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) In classic literature, consequential may refer to someone with too much feeling of self-importance as when Dickens wrote "Because he's a proud, haughty, consequential, turned-up-nosed peacock."
Self-consequence was used in a similar manner, but is more easily understood by modern readers since important is one of the modern senses of consequence.
Another classic sense of consequent that is similar to importance or significance refers to "material wealth or prominence" as when Jane Austen wrote: "They had each had money, but their marriages had made a material difference in their degree of consequence."