01 n. Primarily, a place of standing or staying together; hence, any solemn assembly or council.
pl.
Consistories ((#))
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1.
Primarily, a place of standing or staying together; hence, any solemn assembly or council.“To council summons all his mighty peers, Within thick clouds and dark tenfold involved, A gloomy consistory.” — Milton.
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2.
The spiritual court of a diocesan bishop held before his chancellor or commissioner in his cathedral church or elsewhere.(Eng. Ch.)
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3.
An assembly of prelates; a session of the college of cardinals at Rome.(R. C. Ch.)“Pius was then hearing of causes in consistory.” — Bacon.
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4.
A church tribunal or governing body.
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5.
A civil court of justice.[Obs.]