Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-SIST'O-RY, n. [L. consistorium, from consisto. 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 bishop's chancellor or his commissary is the judge. – Blackstone.
2. An assembly of prelates; the college of cardinals at Rome. Pius was then hearing causes in consistory. – Bacon.
3. A solemn assembly or council. – Milton. Pope.
4. A place of residence. [Not used.] – Shak.
5. In the Reformed churches, an assembly or council of ministers and elders.