Completes or perfects something, especially a marriage by having sexual relations; achieves the highest point of perfection.
From Latin consummare (to complete), from com- (together) + summa (highest point). The meaning evolved from 'to bring together at the highest level' to specifically mean completing a marriage, then generalizing to any perfection or completion.
The word literally means 'sum it all up'—con- (together) + summa (sum, total)—so when you consummate something, you're bringing all its parts together into one complete whole. That's why it's associated with marriage ceremonies: it's the act that makes the union complete!
The verb 'consummate' carries gendered history tied to marriage law and sexual consummation, historically used to define women's legal status and marital obligation. Legal systems required proof of consummation to validate marriages, centering male sexual access and female reproductive availability.
Use 'consummate' to mean 'perfect' or 'complete' (a goal, agreement, transaction) without reference to sexual or marital contexts. Specify the object: 'consummate the deal' rather than using transitively without context.
["perfect","complete","finalize","conclude","accomplish"]
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