v. /keuhn sult"/ ; n. /kon"sult, keuhn sult"/ , v.t.
1. to seek advice or information from; ask guidance from: Consult your lawyer before signing the contract.
2. to refer to for information: Consult your dictionary for the spelling of the word.
3. to have regard for (a person's interest, convenience, etc.) in making plans.
4. Obs. to meditate, plan, or contrive.
v.i.
5. to consider or deliberate; take counsel; confer (usually fol. by with ): He consulted with his doctor.
6. to give professional or expert advice; serve as consultant.
n.
7. a consultation.
8. Archaic. a secret meeting, esp. one for seditious purposes.
[ 1525-35; ( consulter ) consultare to deliberate, consult, freq. of consulere to consult, take counsel; cf. CONSUL ]
Syn. 1. CONSULT, CONFER imply talking over a situation or a subject with someone to decide points in doubt. To CONSULT is to seek from a presumably qualified person or source advice, opinion, etc.: to consult an authority. To CONFER is to exchange views: The partners conferred concerning their business.