Consummation
/ˌkɒnsəˈmeɪʃən/
Consummation refers to the act of completing or fulfilling something, especially in formal, legal, or marital contexts.
Examples
- The project's consummation was delayed by unforeseen circumstances.
- In some traditions, the consummation of marriage is considered essential for validity.
- She viewed the award as the consummation of decades of hard work.
- The consummation of the peace treaty brought relief to both nations.
- Legally, the consummation of the marriage occurred weeks after the ceremony.
Meanings
From Latin consummatio, meaning 'a completing or finishing', derived from consummare 'to sum up, complete, accomplish', from com- 'completely' + summa 'sum, total'. The word entered English in the 15th century with the sense of finalizing an agreement or process.
Examples
- The consummation of the peace treaty brought relief to both nations.
- They celebrated the consummated merger with a company-wide event.
- True happiness requires more than just the consummation of ambition.
- The project's consummation was delayed by unforeseen circumstances.
- She viewed the award as the consummation of decades of hard work.
This sense developed from the idea that a marriage was not fully valid until it was physically consummated. Rooted in canon law and civil traditions, it reflects historical views on marital legitimacy.
Examples
- In some traditions, the consummation of marriage is considered essential for validity.
- The annulment was granted due to lack of consummated union.
- They kept their marriage private until its consummation.
- The court questioned whether the marriage had been consummated.
- Legally, the consummation of the marriage occurred weeks after the ceremony.