n. (pl. -ies) 1 RC Ch. the council of cardinals (with or without the pope). 2 (in full consistory court) (in the Church of England) a court presided over by a bishop, for the administration of ecclesiastical law in a diocese. 3 (in other Churches) a local administrative body. consistorial adj.
[ ME f. AF consistorie, OF -oire f. LL consistorium (as consist) ]