/kon'seuh lay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. the act of consoling; comfort; solace.
2. the state of being consoled.
3. someone or something that consoles: His faith was a consolation during his troubles. Her daughters are a consolation to her.
4. Sports. a game, match, or race for tournament entrants eliminated before the final round, as a basketball game between the losing semifinalists.
[ 1325-75; ME consolacioun ( consolation- (s. of consolatio ), equiv. to consolat ( us ), ptp. of consolari ( con- CON- + sola-, s. of solari to comfort, + -tus ptp. suffix) + -ion- -ION; see SOLACE ]
Syn. 1. relief, succor, help, support, cheer.