n., pl., -ti·a (-tē-ə, -shē-ə).
- An association or a combination, as of businesses, financial institutions, or investors, for the purpose of engaging in a joint venture.
- A cooperative arrangement among groups or institutions: a library consortium.
- An association or society.
- Law. The right of a spouse to the company of, help of, affection of, and sexual relations with his or her mate.
[Latin, fellowship, from cōnsors, cōnsort-, partner. See consort.]
consortial con·sor'ti·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
