consistence

plural consistences

1. countableuncountableLogical consistency; lack of self-contradiction.
2. countableuncountableThe staying together, or remaining in close relation, of non-physical things.

   Her performance has lacked consistence over the last year.

   1 more example

   This composer’s musical work is of extraordinary consistence.

3. archaiccountableuncountableThe physical quality which is given by the degree of density, firmness, solidity, and viscosity; consistency.

   If they [expressed juices] be boiled into the Consistence of a Syrup.

   1731, John Arbuthnot, An Essay Concerning the Nature of Aliments, and the Choice of Them, According to the Different Constitutions of Human Bodies. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   It is generally about the size of a melon, a little fibrous towards the centre, but everywhere else quite smooth and puddingy, something in consistence between yeast-dumplings and batter-pudding.

   1869, Alfred Russel Wallace, The Malay Archipelago, volume I, London: Macmillan and Co., page 476

   All these things, and many others too numerous to mention, were well mixed together in the famous pot and boiled for four hours, until the consistence of a mess, or poss, was obtained, […]

   1953, Samuel Beckett, Watt, [Paris]: Olympia Press, →OCLC

4. countableobsoleteuncountableThe condition of adhering or standing together, or being fixed in union, as the parts of a body; coherence, existence, firmness, solidity.

   Water, being divided, maketh many circles, till it restore itself to the natural consistence.

   1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC

   2 more examples

   VVe are as vvater, vveak, and of no conſiſtence, alvvayes deſcending, abiding in no certain place, unleſeſ vvhere vvee are detained vvith violence: […]

   1650 October (published 1651), Jer[emy] Taylor, “[XXVIII Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Summer Half-year, […].] Sermon XXVIII. A Funeral Sermon, Preached at the Obsequies of the Right Honorable and Most Vertuous Lady, the Lady Frances Countesse of Carbery: Who Deceased October the 9th 1650. at Her House Golden-grove in Carmarthen-shire.”, in ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Richard Royston […], published 1654, →OCLC, page 358

   When it was brought to the school it discharged from its right nostril, a whitish, viscid, clotty matter, which, although of little consistence, strongly adhered to the sides of the nostril.

   1830, The Veterinarian

5. countableobsoleteuncountableThat which stands together as a united whole; a combination.

   The church of God, as meaning whole consistence of orders and members.

   1641 May, John Milton, Of Reformation Touching Church-Discipline in England: And the Causes that hitherto have Hindred it. […], [London]: […] Thomas Vnderhill, →OCLC

6. countableobsoleteuncountableStanding still; quiescence, state of rest.
7. countableuncountableobsolete except poeticA substance which adheres together.

   Ægyptian ingenuity vvas more unſatisfied, contriving their bodies in ſvveet conſiſtences, to attend the return of their ſouls. But all vvas vanity, feeding the vvinde, and folly.

   1658, Thomas Browne, “Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall. […]. Chapter V.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC, page 78