Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-SUME', v.t. [L. consumo; con and sumo, to take. So in English we say, it takes up time, that is, it consumes time. Sp. consumir; It. consumare; Fr. consumer. Class Sm.]

1. To destroy, by separating the parts of a thing, by decomposition, as by fire, or by eating, devouring; and annihilating the form of a substance. Fire consumes wood, coal, stubble; animals consume flesh and vegetables.
2. To destroy by dissipating or by use; to expend; to waste; to squander; as, to consume an estate. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. James iv.
3. To spend; to cause to pass away, as time; as, to consume the day in idleness. Their days did he consume in vanity. – Ps. lxxviii.
4. To cause to disappear; to waste slowly. My flesh is consumed away. – Job xxxviii.
5. To destroy; to bring to utter ruin; to exterminate. Let me alone … that I may consume them. – Ex. xxxii.