consume

verb

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe? Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Latin con- Proto-Indo-European *upó Proto-Italic *supo Latin sub Latin sub- Proto-Indo-European *h₁em-der. Proto-Italic *emō Latin emō Latin sūmō Latin cōnsūmōder. Old French consumerbor. Middle English consumen English consume From Middle English consumen, from Old French consumer, from Latin cōnsūmere, cōnsūmō, from con- (“with, together”) + sūmō (“take; consume”), from sub- + emō (“to buy, take”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁em- (“to take, distribute”), possibly related to the root *nem- (“to take or give one's due”).

1. To use up.

   “The power plant consumes 30 tons of coal per hour.”

2. To eat.

   “Baby birds consume their own weight in food each day.”

   “Concerns were raised around the ability of Milky Way species to consume proteins from Andromeda, so seed banks formed a significant part of the arks' cargo. We now know it is safe to consume food grown or hunted here, though enzyme supplements are recommended and have become a social norm at mealtimes.”

3. To completely occupy the thoughts or attention of.

   “Desire consumed him.”

4. To destroy completely.

   “The building was consumed by fire.”

   “If he were putting to my house the brand / That shall consume it.”

5. To waste away slowly.

   “Therefore, let Benedick, like cover'd fire, / Consume away in sighs.”

   “But, sir, you see how weak I am. You must see that I have been consuming from day to day […].”

6. To trade money for good or services as an individual.

   “In a materialistic society, individuals are taught to consume, consume, consume.”

   “If you consume this product while in Japan, you may be subject to consumption tax.”

7. To absorb information, especially through the mass media.

   “The Internet has changed the way we consume news.”

   “And influencers are identifying the brands, music, and TV shows that Americans consume.”