console

a console (bracket), decorated with a figure

operator’s console on an IBM 1620 computer (1964)

Borrowed from French console (“a bracket”), from consoler (“to console, to comfort”), as in verb.

Sense of “bracket” either due to a bracket alleviating the load, or due to brackets being decorated with the Christian figure of a consoler,[1] itself perhaps a pun on the first sense (alleviating load).

Originally used for the bracket itself, then for wall-mounted tables (mounted with a bracket), then for free-standing tables placed against a wall. Use for control system dates at least to 1880s for an “organ console”; use for electrical or electronic control systems dates at least to 1930s in radio, television, and system control, particularly as “mixer console” or “control console”, attached to an equipment rack. This was popularized in computers by mainframes such as the IBM 704 (1954) in terms such as “operator’s console” or “console typewriter”, and then generalized to any attached equipment, particularly for user interaction. The automotive sense harks back to earlier use as “support”.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɒn.səʊl/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkɑːn.soʊl/

  • Audio (US)

    (file)

console (plural consoles)

1. A stand-alone cabinet designed to stand on the floor; especially, one that houses home entertainment equipment, such as a TV or stereo system.
2. A cabinet that controls, instruments, and displays are mounted upon.
3. An instrument with displays and an input device that is used to monitor and control an electronic system.
   1. The keyboard and screen of a computer or other electronic device.
   2. (video games) A device dedicated to playing video games, set apart from arcade cabinets by its ability to change games.
4. (automotive) A storage tray or container mounted between the seats of an automobile.
5. (architecture) An ornamental member jutting out of a wall to carry a superincumbent weight.

• console steel guitar
• console table

• corbel

Borrowed from French consoler, from Latin cōnsōlor (“I console, I offer solace”), root from Proto-Indo-European *sōlh₂- (“mercy, comfort”) (whence also solace).

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: kənsōlʹ, IPA^(key): /kənˈsəʊl/
• (US) enPR: kənsōlʹ, IPA^(key): /kənˈsoʊl/

  • Audio (US)

    (file)

• Rhymes: -əʊl

console (third-person singular simple present consoles, present participle consoling, simple past and past participle consoled)

1. (transitive) To comfort (someone) in a time of grief, disappointment, etc.
   • P. Henry

     I am much consoled by the reflection that the religion of Christ has been attacked in vain by all the wits and philosophers, and its triumph has been complete.

   • 1856: Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary, Part III Chapter X, translated by Eleanor Marx-Aveling

     "Do you remember, my friend, that I went to Tostes once when you had just lost your first deceased? I consoled you at that time. I thought of something to say then, but now—" Then, with a loud groan that shook his whole chest, "Ah! this is the end for me, do you see! I saw my wife go, then my son, and now to-day it's my daughter."

• comfort, solace

• consolable
• consolation
• consolatory
• consoler
• consoling
• consolingly

• solace

• colones, coolens

Probably a shortened from consolateur, denoting the same architectural element, ultimately from consoler "to console, to comfort".

• IPA^(key): /kɔ̃.sɔl/

• Audio

  (file)

console f (plural consoles)

1. (architecture) a projection or spur on a wall, generally in the form of an "S", supporting a cornice, balcony etc.
   • 1883, Émile Zola, Au Bonheur des Dames:

     ‘Puis, à mesure que la charpente métallique montait, […] les consoles et les corbeaux se chargeaient de sculptures.’

     (please add an English translation of this quote)

2. (carpentry) projecting piece of timber in the form of a cantilever arm
3. (by analogy) piece of furniture abutted against a wall, serving as adornment and for the presentation of other fitments (such as pieces in bronze, clocks, vases etc.)
4. (music) upper part of the harp holding the chords, or the controlling interface of a pipe organ
5. (by ellipsis) video game console, electronic gadget serving in order to play video games

   Synonym: console de jeux

6. (electronics) physical interface allowing the control of an electronic system
7. (informatics) programmed interface of a system

console

1. first-person singular present indicative of consoler
2. third-person singular present indicative of consoler
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of consoler
4. first-person singular present subjunctive of consoler
5. second-person singular imperative of consoler

• “console” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

From Latin cōnsulem, accusative form of cōnsul.

• IPA^(key): /ˈkɔn.so.le/, [ˈkɔn̪s̪ol̪e]
• Stress: cònsole
• Hyphenation: con‧so‧le

console m (plural consoli)

1. consul

Borrowed from English console.

• IPA^(key): /konˈsɔl/, [kon̪ˈs̪ɔl̪]
• Stress: consòle
• Hyphenation: con‧so‧le

console f (invariable)

1. console, specifically:
   1. A stand-alone cabinet designed to stand on the floor; especially, one that houses home entertainment equipment.
   2. (video games) A device dedicated to playing video games.

console f (plural consoles)

1. (Jersey) Russian comfrey Symphytum × uplandicum

From English console

console m (plural consoles)

1. console (device dedicated to playing video games)

For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:console.

console

1. first-person singular present subjunctive of consolar
2. third-person singular present subjunctive of consolar
3. third-person singular imperative of consolar

For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:consolar.