consensus

What does “consensus” mean?

noun.a general agreement.

SAT Usage

The term is often found in passages discussing social dynamics, decision-making processes, or collaborative efforts. It emphasizes a collective agreement reached after discussion, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation, rather than mere individual opinions or majority rule, which distinguishes it from words like "majority" that do not necessarily imply agreement among all parties involved.

Common Confusions

Consensus implies a collective agreement reached through discussion, while majority usually suggests the larger share or number of votes without necessarily indicating that there is full agreement among all involved.

Example Sentences

• The team reached consensus after a brief discussion.

• After hours of discussion, the committee finally reached a consensus on the new policy changes.

Word Parts: How to Remember “consensus”

Break “consensus” into its parts: co- (together, with) + -sens- (feel, perceive). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)
• Root: -sens- feel, perceive (Latin)