4. A church tribunal or governing body.
Note: In some churches, as the Dutch Reformed in America, a consistory is composed of the minister and elders of an individual church, corresponding to a Presbyterian church session, and in others, as the Reformed church in France, it is composed of ministers and elders, corresponding to a presbytery. In some Lutheran countries it is a body of clerical and lay officers appointed by the sovereign to superintend ecclesiastical affairs.
5. A civil court of justice. [Obs.] Chaucer.
CONSISTORY
Con*sis"to*ry, a.
Defn: Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a consistory. "To hold consistory session." Strype.
CONSOCIATE Con*so"ci*ate, n. Etym: [L. nsociatus, p.p. of consociare to associate, unite; con- + sociare to join, unite. See Social.]
Defn: An associate; an accomplice. [Archaic] "Wicked consociates."
Bp. Hall.
CONSOCIATE
Con*so"ci*ate, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Consociated; p.pr. & vb.n.
Consociating.]
1. To bring into alliance, confederacy, or relationship; to bring together; to join; to unite. [R.] Join pole to pole, consociate severed worlds. Mallet.
2. To unite in an ecclesiastical consociation. [U.S.]