consistory

[ kuhn-sis-tuh-ree ]

noun

, plural con·sis·to·ries.

1. any of various ecclesiastical councils or tribunals.
2. the place where such a council or tribunal meets.
3. the meeting of any such body.
4. Roman Catholic Church. a solemn assembly of the whole body of cardinals, summoned and presided over by the pope.
5. Anglican Church. a diocesan court for dealing with ecclesiastical and spiritual questions, held in the cathedral church and presided over by the bishop, the bishop's chancellor, or the commissary.
6. (in certain Reformed churches) the governing board of a local church or congregation.
7. any assembly or council.
8. Obsolete. a council chamber.

consistory

/ ˌkɒnsɪˈstɔːrɪəl; kənˈsɪstərɪ /

noun

1. Church of England
   1. the court of a diocese (other than Canterbury) administering ecclesiastical law
   2. the area in a church where the consistory meets
2. RC Church an assembly of the cardinals and the pope
3. (in certain Reformed Churches) the governing body of a local congregation or church
4. archaic.
   a council or assembly

Derived Forms

• consistorial, adjective

Other Words From

• con·sis·to·ri·al [kon-si-, stawr, -ee-, uh, l, -, stohr, -], consis·tori·an adjective
• noncon·sis·tori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consistory¹

1275–1325; Middle English consistorie < Anglo-French < Late Latin consistōrium meeting place, equivalent to Latin consist ( ere ) ( consist ) + -( t ) ōrium -tory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of consistory¹

C14: from Old French consistorie, from Medieval Latin consistōrium ecclesiastical tribunal, ultimately from Latin consistere to stand still

Example Sentences

Francis turns 87 in December and whether he convokes another consistory next year or in 2025 depends on how long he lives.

From Reuters

But Pope Francis has now held eight consistories — gatherings of cardinals — to create new ones over the last nine years, and Gomez hasn’t even been whispered about as a contender.

From Los Angeles Times

With each consistory, Francis has continued what one diplomat has called a "tilt towards Asia," increasing the likelihood that the next pope could be from the region that is a growing economic and political powerhouse.

From Reuters

Two days after the August consistory, the pope will reconvene the cardinals to discuss the new Vatican constitution, which took effect on June 5.

From Washington Post

Popes don’t normally call for consistories at the end of summer, when Rome is still in vacation shutdown mode.

From Washington Post