a. [ad. L. consubstāntiāl-is (Tertullian), in F. consubstantiel (16th c., Calvin), f. L. con- together + substāntia substance: see -AL, and cf. substance, substantial. Originally a term of Theology, L. consubstantiāl-is representing Gr. ὁμοούσιος, f. ὁμός one and the same, common + οὐσία being, essence, substance.]
1. Of one and the same substance or essence; the same in substance.
1576. Newton, trans. Lemnie’s Complex. (1633), 98. Not able … to attract and digest the nourishment that is moyst, nor to make it like and consubstantiall with the body and members.
1605. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vi. As in Spring-time from one sappie twigg, There sprouts another consubstantiall sprigg.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, II. xviii. (1632), 375. A booke consubstantiall to his author.
1650. trans. Bacon’s Life & Death, 59. The Livelesse Spirits are next Consubstantiall to Aire; The Vitall Spirits, approach more to the Substance of Flame.
1817. Coleridge, Biog. Lit., 63. Grant that an object from without could act upon the conscious self as on a consubstantial object.
b. Theol. Said of the three Persons in the God-head; esp. of the Son as being ‘one in substance’ with the Father. Sometimes also said of Christ’s humanity in relation to man.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 25/3. Jhesu cryst … in essence consubstantial by generacion.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 198 b. The sone … is consubstancial, that is to saye, he is of one nature and substaunce with the father.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., I. 30. When the Latines meant to expresse the word Omoousion, they called it Consubstantiall, declaring the substance of the Father and the Sonn to be one, so vsing the word substance for essence.
1612. Brerewood, Lang. & Relig., xxv. 222. In their conceits … the humane nature of Christ was not consubstantial to ours, but of another kind.
1667. H. More, Div. Dial. (1713), 559. St. Augustin … calls the Holy Ghost, The substantial and consubstantial Love of the Father and the Son.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymnotheo, Poet. Wks. 1721, III. 281. The Word his consubstantial Beams display’d.
1724. Waterland, Athan. Creed, vii. 104. This creed makes no mention of Christ being consubstantial with us, in one nature, as he is consubstantial with the Father in another.
1875. E. White, Life in Christ, V. xxviii. (1878), 474. The apostolic writings seem to lay far greater stress on the real distinction in the Persons of the Godhead than on any idea of consubstantial Unity.
2. quasi-sb.
1640. Watts, trans. Bacon’s Adv. Learn., IV. ii. (R. Suppl.). Consubstantialls are willingly intertained with a kindly embrace, and properly intenerate and supple.
1762. Sterne, Tr. Shandy (1802), V. xl. 259. It is inherent in the seeds of all animals, and may be preserved by consubstantials, impriments, and occludents.
1866. Neale, Seq. & Hymns, 200. Then … Did he recite the Creed that told of the Consubstantial.
