consistory
[kuh n-sis-tuh-ree]
- any of various ecclesiastical councils or tribunals.
- the place where such a council or tribunal meets.
- the meeting of any such body.
- Roman Catholic Church. a solemn assembly of the whole body of cardinals, summoned and presided over by the pope.
- Anglican Church. a diocesan court for dealing with ecclesiastical and spiritual questions, held in the cathedral church and presided over by the bishop, the bishop's chancellor, or the commissary.
- (in certain Reformed churches) the governing board of a local church or congregation.
- any assembly or council.
- Obsolete. a council chamber.
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Origin of consistory
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for consistory
Contemporary Examples
But at a consistory of cardinals in Vatican City on Monday, Francis made his case.
Historical Examples
Not a soul approved this promotion when it was announced at the consistory.
The Memoirs of Louis XIV., His Court and The Regency, CompleteDuc de Saint-Simon
In the Canton of Vauvert, where there was a consistory church, 80,000 francs were extorted.
Fox's Book of MartyrsJohn Foxe
On January 2, 1821, the property was finally deeded to the consistory.
The Kirk on Rutgers FarmFrederick Brckbauer
In 1843, on the land back of the church the "Consistory Building" was erected.
The Kirk on Rutgers FarmFrederick Brckbauer
Her consistory was reproduced in all these French-speaking local Churches.
A History of the Reformation (Vol. 2 of 2)Thomas M. Lindsay
consistory
- Church of England
- the court of a diocese (other than Canterbury) administering ecclesiastical law
- the area in a church where the consistory meets
- RC Church an assembly of the cardinals and the pope
- (in certain Reformed Churches) the governing body of a local congregation or church
- archaic a council or assembly
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French consistorie, from Medieval Latin consistōrium ecclesiastical tribunal, ultimately from Latin consistere to stand still
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for consistory
n.
c.1300, "secular tribunal," from Old North French consistorie (Old French consistoire, 12c.) and directly from Late Latin consistorium "waiting room, meeting place of the imperial council," from Latin consistere (see consist). Meaning "Church council" is from early 14c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper