Con*sume" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.p. Consumed (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Consuming.] [L. consumere to take wholly or complectely, to consume; con- + sumere to take; sub + emere to buv. See Redeem.]
To destroy, as by decomposition, dissipation, waste, or fire; to use up; to expend; to waste; to burn up; to eat up; to devour.
If he were putting to my house the brand
That shall consume it.
Shak.
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume.
Matt. vi. 20 (Rev. Ver. ).
Let me alone . . . that I may consume them.
Ex. xxxii. 10.
Syn. -- To destroy; swallow up; ingulf; absorb; waste; exhaust; spend; expend; squander; lavish; dissipate.
© Webster 1913.
Con*sume" (?), v. i.
To waste away slowly.
Therefore, let Renedick, like covered fire,
Consume away in sighs.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.