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Dictionary Language resources

consistory

Pronunciation: /kənˈsɪst(ə)ri/

Definition of consistory

noun (plural consistories)

a church council or court, in particular:
(in the Roman Catholic Church) the council of cardinals, with or without the Pope.
(also consistory court) (in the Church of England) a court presided over by a bishop, for the administration of ecclesiastical law in a diocese.
(in other Churches) a local administrative body.

Derivatives

consistorial

Origin:

Middle English (originally denoting a non-ecclesiastical council): from Anglo-Norman French consistorie, from late Latin consistorium, from consistere 'stand firm' (see consist)