[ kən'sɪst(ə)ri ]
■ noun ( plural consistories )
1》 (in the Roman Catholic Church) the council of cardinals, with or without the Pope.
2》 (also ~ 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.
Derivatives
consistorial ˌkɒnsɪ'stɔ:rɪəl adjective
Origin
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. consistorie , from late L. consistorium , from consistere (see consist ).