consistory

noun con·sis·to·ry \ kən-ˈsi-st(ə-)rē \

Definition of consistory

plural consistories

1 : a solemn assembly : council

2 : a church tribunal or governing body: such as

a : a solemn meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals convoked and presided over by the pope

b : a church session in some Reformed churches

3 : the organization that confers the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry usually from the 19th to the 32nd inclusive; also : a meeting of such an organization

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consistorial

play \ˌkän-si-ˈstȯr-ē-əl\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of consistory

Middle English consistorie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin & Late Latin; Medieval Latin consistorium church tribunal, from Late Latin, imperial council, from Latin consistere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year