Main Entry: con·sor·tium

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)əm, -ˈsȯr-tē-əm\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural con·sor·tia \-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)ə, -ˈsȯr-tē-ə\ also con·sortiums

Etymology: Latin, fellowship, from consort-, consors

Date: 1829

1 : an agreement, combination, or group (as of companies) formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member
2 : association, society
3 : the legal right of one spouse to the company, affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations with the other