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.
The spiritual court of a diocesan bishop held before his chancellor or commissioner in his cathedral church or elsewhere. Hook.
An assembly of prelates; a session of the college of cardinals at Rome. Pius was then hearing of causes in consistory. Bacon.
A church tribunal or governing body.
A civil court of justice. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a consistory. "To hold consistory session." Strype.
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