Definition

1. Noun:

   • A housing for electronic instruments: A piece of furniture or cabinet designed to hold equipment such as televisions, radios, or audio components.
   • An ornamental bracket: A decorative, often scroll-shaped, architectural support projecting from a wall to carry a shelf, statue, or other fixture.
   • A control panel: A panel or unit containing switches, dials, and displays for monitoring and operating a system, especially a computer or electronic system.
   • A small table: A table designed to stand against a wall.

2. Verb:

   • To comfort someone in distress: To give emotional support or solace to someone who is sad, disappointed, or grieving.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The video game console is connected to the television.
  • A beautiful marble bust was placed on the wall console.
  • The air traffic controller watched the radar console intently.
  • She placed a vase of flowers on the console in the hallway.

• Verb:

  • He tried to console his friend after the loss.
  • There was little anyone could say to console her.

Advanced Usage

• "to console oneself with something": to find comfort in something to make oneself feel better about a bad situation.
  • After failing the test, he consoled himself with the thought that he could try again.

Variants and Related Words

• Consolation (n): Comfort received after a loss or disappointment.
  • Coming in second place was a small consolation.
• Consolatory (adj): Intended to provide consolation.
  • He offered a few consolatory words.

Synonyms

• Verb: Comfort, solace, soothe, cheer up.
• Noun (control panel): Control unit, dashboard, instrument panel.
• Noun (table): Side table, sofa table.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Console over: To comfort someone regarding a specific matter. (Less common as a fixed phrasal verb; typically used as "console someone over something").
  • She consoled him over his missed opportunity.

Related Idioms

• A consolation prize: A prize given to someone who has not won, intended as a comfort.
  • Even though she didn't win, she was happy to get a consolation prize.

Noun

1. housing for electronic instruments, as radio or television
2. an ornamental scroll-shaped bracket (especially one used to support a wall fixture)
   • the bust of Napoleon stood on a console
3. a scientific instrument consisting of displays and an input device that an operator can use to monitor and control a system (especially a computer system)
4. a small table fixed to a wall or designed to stand against a wall

Verb

1. give moral or emotional strength to