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.
Derivatives:
consistorial adj.
Etymology: ME f. AF consistorie, OF -oire f. LL consistorium (as consist)