Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-SULT', v.t.

1. To ask advice of; to seek the opinion of another, as a guide to one's own judgment; as, to consult a friend or parent.
2. To seek for information, or facts, in something; as, by examining books or papers. Thus, I consulted several authors on the subject; I consulted the official documents.
3. To regard; to have reference or respect to, in judging or acting; to decide or to act in favor of. We are to consult the necessities, rather than the pleasures of life. We are to consult public as well as private interest. He consulted his own safety in flight. Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse. – Franklin.
4. To plan, devise or contrive. Thou hast consulted shame to thy house, by cutting off many people. – Hab. ii. [This sense is unusual and not to be countenanced.]