Consummate
Encyclopedia : C : CO : CON : Consummate
As a verb, consummate means to bring something to its completion, such as a transaction, concept, plan or action.
Marriages are said to be consummated when the act of sexual intercourse has taken place after the ceremony. In some theologies or societies, a marriage is not considered a binding contract until and unless it has been consummated. Within the Catholic Church, a refusal to consummate the marriage is one of the main reasons to obtain an annulment.
In the United States legal system, there have been Supreme Court rulings that a marriage could be declared null and void if it had not been consummated.
The adjective consummate describes something that is complete or a person that is supremely skilled.
Etymology
The word consummate is probably derived from the Latin roots 'com' and 'summa'.
External links
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