Definition

con·sump·tion  (kn-smpshn) n. 1. a. The act or process of consuming. b. The state of being consumed. c. An amount consumed. 2. Economics The using up of goods and services by consumer purchasing or in the production of other goods. 3. Pathology a. A progressive wasting of body tissue. b. Pulmonary tuberculosis. No longer in scientific use. [Middle English consumpcioun, from Latin cnsmpti, cnsmptin-, a consuming, from cnsmptus, past participle of cnsmere, to consume; see consume.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

consumption [kənˈsʌmpʃən]

n

1. the act of consuming or the state of being consumed, esp by eating, burning, etc.

2. (Economics) Economics expenditure on goods and services for final personal use

3. the quantity consumed

4. (Medicine / Pathology) Pathol a condition characterized by a wasting away of the tissues of the body, esp as seen in tuberculosis of the lungs

[from Latin consumptiō a wasting, from consūmere to consume]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

con•sump•tion (kənˈsʌmp ʃən) 

n.

1. the act of consuming, as by use, decay, or destruction.

2. the amount consumed: the high consumption of gasoline.

3. the using up of goods and services having an exchangeable value.

4.

a. Older Use. tuberculosis of the lungs.

b. progressive wasting of the body.

[1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French) < Latin consūmptiō process of consuming <consūm(ere) to consume]

source

Some excellent thought provoking words/phrases in the definition:

• Wasting of body
• Burning
• Wasting of body tissue
• The state of being consumed
• Expenditure on goods
• Expenditure
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