1. (in the Roman Catholic Church) the council of cardinals, with or without the Pope.
▪ (in the Church of England) a court presided over by a bishop, for the administration of ecclesiastical law in a diocese.
▪ (in other Churches) a local administrative body.
Word OriginMiddle English (originally denoting a non-ecclesiastical council): from Anglo-Norman French consistorie, from late Latin consistorium, from consistere ‘stand firm’ (see consist).