adj.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' sis-t ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin consistent-, consistens, present participle of consistere
Date: 1638
1 archaic : possessing firmness or coherence
2 a : marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction <a consistent style in painting> b : marked by agreement : COMPATIBLE ― usually used with with <statements not consistent with the truth> c : showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom <a consistent patriot>
3 : tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large <a consistent statistical estimator>
– con · sis · tent · ly \ -l ē \ adverb