Consists

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kənˈsɪsts/

Definitions

1. To be composed of certain distinct elements or components that come together to form a whole To hold particular parts that make up a complete entity To be made up of various integral elements contributing to its entirety
2. Is formed by combining different elements to create a unified whole
3. Includes various components that collectively make up the entirety

Etymology: "Consists" is the third-person singular present form of "consist," so it simply carries the verb's sense of being made up of something. The verb itself comes from Middle French "consister," which took it from Latin "consistō," meaning "stand together" or "stand firm." That Latin verb was built from "com-," meaning "together," and "sistō," meaning "cause to stand" or "stand." The Latin sense range is revealing. Alongside "stand together," "consistō" could mean "stop," "become hard or solid," "agree with," or "continue," so the notion of standing firm and holding together ran through its meanings. English took the idea of parts standing together to form a whole and kept it, which is why "consist" describes a thing's makeup rather than its physical position.

Synonyms: comprises, includes, contains, encompasses, constitutes