Consist

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

consist
    v 1: originate (in); "The problems dwell in the social
         injustices in this country" [syn: {dwell}, {consist},
         {lie}, {lie in}]
    2: have its essential character; be comprised or contained in;
       be embodied in; "The payment consists in food"; "What does
       love consist in?"
    3: be consistent in form, tenor, or character; be congruous;
       "Desires are to be satisfied only so far as consists with an
       approved end"
    4: be composed of; "The land he conquered comprised several
       provinces"; "What does this dish consist of?" [syn:
       {consist}, {comprise}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Consist \Con*sist"\ (k[o^]n*s[i^]st"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Consisted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Consisting}.] [L. consistere to
   stand still or firm; con- + sistere to stand, cause to stand,
   stare to stand: cf. F. consister. See {Stand}.]
   1. To stand firm; to be in a fixed or permanent state, as a
      body composed of parts in union or connection; to hold
      together; to be; to exist; to subsist; to be supported and
      maintained.
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            He is before all things, and by him all things
            consist.                              --Col. i. 17.
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   2. To be composed or made up; -- followed by of.
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            The land would consist of plains and valleys. --T.
                                                  Burnet.
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   3. To have as its substance or character, or as its
      foundation; to be; -- followed by in.
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            If their purgation did consist in words. --Shak.
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            A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the
            things which he possesseth.           --Luke xii.
                                                  15.
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   4. To be consistent or harmonious; to be in accordance; --
      formerly used absolutely, now followed by with.
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            This was a consisting story.          --Bp. Burnet.
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            Health consists with temperance alone. --Pope.
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            For orders and degrees
            Jar not with liberty, but well consist. --Milton.
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   5. To insist; -- followed by on. [Obs.] --Shak.

   Syn: {To Consist}, {Consist of}, {Consist in}.

   Usage: The verb consist is employed chiefly for two purposes,
          which are marked and distinguished by the prepositions
          used. When we wish to indicate the parts which unite
          to compose a thing, we use of; as when we say,
          "Macaulay's Miscellanies consist chiefly of articles
          which were first published in the Edinburgh Review."
          When we wish to indicate the true nature of a thing,
          or that on which it depends, we use in; as, "There are
          some artists whose skill consists in a certain manner
          which they have affected." "Our safety consists in a
          strict adherence to duty."
          [1913 Webster] Consistence