Main Entry: con·sis·tent

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsis-tənt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin consistent-, consistens, present participle of consistere

Date: 1638

1 archaic : possessing firmness or coherence
2 a : marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity : free from variation or contradiction <a consistent style in painting> b : marked by agreement : compatible —usually used with with <statements not consistent with the truth> c : showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom <a consistent patriot>
3 : tending to be arbitrarily close to the true value of the parameter estimated as the sample becomes large <a consistent statistical estimator>

— con·sis·tent·ly \-lē\ adverb