consistory

Meaning

Noun

• A place of standing or staying together; hence, any solemn assembly or council.
• The spiritual court of a diocesan bishop held before his chancellor or commissioner in his cathedral church or elsewhere.
• An assembly of prelates; a session of the college of cardinals at Rome.
• A church tribunal or governing body, especially of elders in a Reformed church.
• A civil court of justice.

Origin

• From Old Northern French consistorie ("secular tribunal") (Old French consistoire), and Late Latin consistorium ("waiting room, meeting place of the imperial council"). Meaning "Church council" is from early 14th century.