Consistory

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Primarily, a place of standing or staying together; hence, any solemn assembly or council. To council summons all his mighty peers, Within thick clouds and dark tenfold involved, A gloomy consistory. Milton.

2. The spiritual court of a diocesan bishop held before his chancellor or commissioner in his cathedral church or elsewhere. Hook.

3. An assembly of prelates; a session of the college of cardinals at Rome. Pius was then hearing of causes in consistory. Bacon.

4. A church tribunal or governing body.

5. A civil court of justice. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a consistory. "To hold consistory session." Strype.