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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Consistory


CONSISTORY, noun [Latin See Consist.] Primarily, a place of meeting; a council-house, or place of justice. Hence,

1. A place of justice in the spiritual court, or the court itself; the court of every diocesan bishop, held in their cathedral churches, for the trial of ecclesiastical causes, arising within the diocese. The bishops chancellor or his commissary is the judge.

2. An assembly of prelates; the college of cardinals at Rome.

Pius was then hearing causes in consistory

3. A solemn assembly or council.

4. A place of residence. [Not used.]

5. In the Reformed churches, an assembly or council of ministers and elders.