inconsistent (adj.)

1640s, "not agreeing in substance or form;" 1650s, "self-contradictory," from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + consistent. Related: Inconsistently.

Entries linking to inconsistent

in- (1)

word-forming element meaning "not, opposite of, without" (also im-, il-, ir- by assimilation of -n- with following consonant, a tendency which began in later Latin), from Latin in- "not," cognate with Greek an-, Old English un-, all from PIE root *ne- "not."

In Old French and Middle English often en-, but most of these forms have not survived in Modern English, and the few that do (enemy, for instance) no longer are felt as negative. The rule of thumb in English has been to use in- with obviously Latin elements, un- with native or nativized ones.

consistent (adj.)

1570s, "consisting" (a sense now obsolete), from Latin consistentem (nominative consistens), present participle of consistere "to stand firm, take a standing position, stop, halt," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see con-) + sistere "to place," causative of stare "to stand, be standing," from PIE root *sta- "to stand, make or be firm."

Sense of "standing together in agreement, agreeing" (with with) is first attested 1640s; meaning "marked by consistency" is from 1732. The literal, physical sense survives in consistency. Related: Consistently.

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Definitions of inconsistent

inconsistent (adj.)

displaying a lack of consistency;

inconsistent with the roadmap

inconsistent statements cannot both be true at the same time

inconsistent (adj.)

not capable of being made consistent or harmonious;

inconsistent accounts

inconsistent (adj.)

not in agreement;

Synonyms: discrepant

From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near inconsistent

inconsiderable

inconsiderate

inconsiderateness

inconsideration

inconsistency

inconsistent

inconsolable

inconspicuous

inconstance

inconstancy

inconstant