VERB (5)

1. unite into one;
- Example: "The companies consolidated"

2. make firm or secure; strengthen;
- Example: "consolidate one's gains"
- Example: "consolidate one's hold on first place"

3. bring together into a single whole or system;
- Example: "The town and county schools are being consolidated"

4. form into a solid mass or whole;
- Example: "The mud had consolidated overnight"

5. make or form into a solid or hardened mass;
- Example: "consolidate fibers into boards"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Consolidate \Con*sol"i*date\, v. i.
   To grow firm and hard; to unite and become solid; as, moist
   clay consolidates by drying.
   [1913 Webster]

         In hurts and ulcers of the head, dryness maketh them
         more apt to consolidate.                 --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Consolidate \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.]
   [1913 Webster]

         A gentleman [should learn to ride] while he is tender
         and the brawns and sinews of his thighs not fully
         consolidate.                             --Elyot.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Consolidate \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.
      [1913 Webster]

            He fixed and consolidated the earth.  --T. Burnet.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Consolidating numbers into unity.     --Wordsworth.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

consolidate
    v 1: unite into one; "The companies consolidated"
    2: make firm or secure; strengthen; "consolidate one's gains";
       "consolidate one's hold on first place"
    3: bring together into a single whole or system; "The town and
       county schools are being consolidated"
    4: form into a solid mass or whole; "The mud had consolidated
       overnight"
    5: make or form into a solid or hardened mass; "consolidate
       fibers into boards"