etymology of the word CONSONANT

consonant (n.) 

c.1300, from L. consonantem (nom. consonans), prp. of consonare "to sound together," from com- "with" + sonare, from sonus "sound" (see sound (n.1)). Consonants thought of as sounds that are only produced together with vowels.

So, hmmm, the book I brought to class that said that consonant meant not sound was out of whack and Raquel was right! consonant means with sound - that is consonants work with sound!