n. 1. A husband or wife, especially the spouse of a monarch. 2. A companion or partner. 3. An animal with which another animal, usually of the opposite sex, forms a bond for a temporary period during which the two individuals maintain close proximity and engage in mating or other sexual behavior. 4. A ship accompanying another in travel. 5. Partnership; association: governed in consort with her advisers. 6. A group; a company: a consort of fellow diplomats. 7. Music a. An instrumental ensemble. b. An ensemble using instruments of the same family. v. (kən-sôrt) con·sort·ed, con·sort·ing, con·sorts v.intr. 1. To keep company; associate: a politician known to consort with gangsters. 2. To be in accord or agreement. v.tr. 1. To unite in company; associate. 2. Obsolete a. To escort; accompany. b. To espouse. [Middle English, colleague, from Old French, from Latin cōnsors, cōnsort- : com-, com- + sors, fate; see ser-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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