\Con*sol"i*date\, a. [L. consolidatus, p. pr. of
consolidare to make firm; con- + solidare to make firm;
solidus solid. See {Solid}, and cf. {Consound}.]
Formed into a solid mass; made firm; consolidated. [R.]
      A gentleman [should learn to ride] while he is tender
      and the brawns and sinews of his thighs not fully
      consolidate.                             --Elyot.

\Con*sol"i*date\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Consolidated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Consolidating}.]
1. To make solid; to unite or press together into a compact
   mass; to harden or make dense and firm.
         He fixed and consolidated the earth.  --T. Burnet.
2. To unite, as various particulars, into one mass or body;
   to bring together in close union; to combine; as, to
   consolidate the armies of the republic.
         Consolidating numbers into unity.     --Wordsworth.
3. (Surg.) To unite by means of applications, as the parts of
   a broken bone, or the lips of a wound. [R.]
Syn: To unite; combine; harden; compact; condense; compress.

\Con*sol"i*date\, v. i.
To grow firm and hard; to unite and become solid; as, moist
clay consolidates by drying.
      In hurts and ulcers of the head, dryness maketh them
      more apt to consolidate.                 --Bacon.