/keuhn soohm"/ , v. , consumed, consuming .
v.t.
1. to destroy or expend by use; use up.
2. to eat or drink up; devour.
3. to destroy, as by decomposition or burning: Fire consumed the forest.
4. to spend (money, time, etc.) wastefully.
5. to absorb; engross: consumed with curiosity.
v.i.
6. to undergo destruction; waste away.
7. to use or use up consumer goods.
[ 1350-1400; ME ( consumer ) consumere, equiv. to con- CON- + sumere to take up (perh. suzm- subzm- subs- ( e ) m-, equiv. to subs-, var. of sub- SUB- + emere to take, buy) ]
Syn. 1. exhaust, deplete. 4. squander, dissipate.