Part 140

2. Not exhibiting uniformity of sentiment, steadiness to principle, etc.; unequal; fickle; changeable.

Ah, how unjust to nature, and himself, Is thoughtless, thankless, inconsistent man.

Young.

Syn. -- Incompatible; incongruous; irreconcilable; discordant; repugnant; contradictory. -- Inconsistent, Incongruous, Incompatible. Things are incongruous when they are not suited to each other, so that their union is unbecoming; inconsistent when they are opposed to each other, so as render it improper or wrong; incompatible when they can not coexist, and it is therefore impossible to unite them. Habitual levity of mind is incongruous with the profession of a clergyman; it is inconsistent with his ordination vows; it is incompatible with his permanent usefulness. Incongruity attaches to the modes and qualities of things; incompatibility attaches to their essential attributes; inconsistency attaches to the actions, sentiments, etc., of men.

In`con*sist"ent*ly (?), adv. In an inconsistent manner.

In`con*sist"ent*ness, n. Inconsistency. [R.]

In`con*sist"ing (?), a. Inconsistent. [Obs.]

In`con*sol"a*ble (?), a. [L. inconsolabilis: cf. F. inconsolable. See In- not, and Console.] Not consolable; incapable of being consoled; grieved beyond susceptibility of comfort; disconsolate. Dryden.

With inconsolable distress she griev'd, And from her cheek the rose of beauty fled.

Falconer.

-- In`con*sol"a*ble*ness, n. -- In`con*sol"a*bly, adv.

{ In*con"so*nance (?), In*con"so*nan*cy (?), } n. Want of consonance or harmony of sound, action, or thought; disagreement.

In*con"so*nant (?), a. [L. inconsonans. See In- not, and Consonant.] Not consonant or agreeing; inconsistent; discordant. -- In*con"so*nant*ly, adv.

In`con*spic"u*ous (?), a. [L. inconspicuus. See In- not, and Conspicuous.] Not conspicuous or noticeable; hardly discernible. -- In`con*spic"u*ous*ly, adv. -- In`con*spic"u*ous*ness, n. Boyle.

In*con"stance (?), n. [F. See Inconstancy.] Inconstancy. Chaucer.

In*con"stan*cy (?), n. [L. inconstantia.] The quality or state of being inconstant; want of constancy; mutability; fickleness; variableness.

For unto knight there was no greater shame, Than lightness and inconstancie in love.

Spenser.

In*con"stant (?), a. [L. inconstans: cf. F. inconstant. See In- not, and Constant.] Not constant; not stable or uniform; subject to change of character, appearance, opinion, inclination, or purpose, etc.; not firm; unsteady; fickle; changeable; variable; -- said of persons or things; as, inconstant in love or friendship. "The inconstant moon." Shak.

While we, inquiring phantoms of a day, Inconstant as the shadows we survey!

Boyse.

Syn. -- Mutable; fickle; volatile; unsteady; unstable; changeable; variable; wavering; fluctuating.

In*con"stant*ly, adv. In an inconstant manner.

In`con*sum"a*ble (?), a. Not consumable; incapable of being consumed, wasted, or spent. Paley. -- In`con*sum"a*bly, adv.

In`con*sum"mate (?), a. [L. inconsummatus. See In- not, and Consummate.] Not consummated; not finished; incomplete. Sir M. Hale. -- In`con*sum"mate*ness, n.

In`con*sump"ti*ble (?), a. [L. inconsumptibilis.] Inconsumable. [Obs.] Sir K. Digby.

In`con*tam"i*nate (?), a. [L. incontaminatus. See In- not, and not, and Contaminate.] Not contaminated; pure. Moore. -- In`con*tam"i*nate*ness, n.

In*con`ten*ta"tion (?), n. [See In- not, and Content.] Discontent. [Obs.] Goodwin.