Definition of: consistory

(kən·sis′tər·ē) noun plural ·ries
1. Eccl. a The highest council of the Roman Catholic Church, composed of all the cardinals, and usually presided over by the Pope. b In many Reformed Churches, a local governing body consisting of the ministers and elders of a congregation. c A court of the Lutheran state churches, appointed by the government to oversee ecclesiastical affairs. d A diocesan court of the Church of England, presided over by the chancelor or commissary of the diocese.
2. The place where an ecclesiastical court is held; a council house or hall of justice.
3. A council of dignitaries, as of Freemasons of the 32nd degree. [<LL Consistorium]
—con·sis·to·ri·al (kon′sis·tôr′ē·əl, -tō′·rē-), con′sis·to′ri·an adjective