1. (n.) Primarily, a place of standing or staying together; hence, any solemn assembly or council.

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

3. (n.) An assembly of prelates; a session of the college of cardinals at Rome.

4. (n.) A church tribunal or governing body.

5. (n.) A civil court of justice.

6. (a.) of the nature of, or pertaining to, a consistory.

Council of Nicaea Council of Trent Lateran Council Vatican Council affiliate arm article back matter basis book branch branch office burden case classis clause column concern conciliarism conclave conference congregation consistory convention convocation diocesan conference division ecclesiastical council ecumenical council essence fascicle focus of attention focus of interest folio front matter gathering gist head heading installment issue living issue livraison local lodge main point matter matter in hand meat motif motive number offshoot organ page paragraph parochial church council parochial council part passage phrase plenary council point point at issue point in question post presbytery problem question rubric section sentence serial session sheet signature subject subject matter subject of thought substance synod text theme topic verse vestry volume wing