Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
consummate (v., adj.)
The adjective has two pronunciations: kuhn-SUH-mit or KAHN-suh-mit; the verb is pronounced KAHN-suh-MAIT. Each has two Standard meanings: the adjective means either “perfect, the best or worst there is, complete,” as in The room was decorated in consummate ugliness, or “superbly accomplished or skilled,” as in She is a consummate public speaker. The verb has a general meaning of “to finish, complete, or accomplish,” as in With all the signatures on the document, we could finally report the negotiations consummated in a treaty, and “to carry out the full meaning of a marriage by having the first postceremony sexual intercourse,” as in That night at the beachhouse they consummated their marriage.
