[see -ING2.]
1. That consults or asks advice.
1796. Burney, Mem. Metastasio, II. 243. Metastasio … when consulted by authors … treated them with … all … that consulting authors usually want.
1839. Milligen, Curios. Med. Exper. (ed. 2), 237. This celebrated Physician used … to receive consulting apothecaries at a tavern.
2. Applied to a physician, engineer, etc., who makes a business of giving professional advice, either to the public or to those practically engaged in the profession. [F. médecin consultant, ‘celui qui donne des consultations’ (Littré); from obs. sense of consulter to give (professional) counsel: cf. CONSULTATION 2 c. But as now used consulting would be understood as an attrib. use of the vbl. sb.]
1801. Duncan, Annals of Med., V. 423. The medical duties are to be discharged gratuitously by two physicians, two consulting surgeons, two surgeons, and three visiting apothecaries.
1883. R. Quain, Dict. Med., p. xi. Consulting Physician to the City of London Hospital for diseases of the Chest.
