consistence

noun

Etymology: From Middle French. Compare French consistance. By surface analysis, consist + -ence.

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

   “Her performance has lacked consistence over the last year.”

   “This composer’s musical work is of extraordinary consistence.”

3. The 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.”

   “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.”

4. The 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.”

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

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

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

6. Standing still; quiescence, state of rest.
7. A 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.”