consort1
noun /ˈkɒnsɔːt 
/
/1A wife, husband, or companion, in particular the spouse of a reigning monarch: Queen Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert...
- Apart from the reign of William III, consorts of monarchs have had no constitutional significance whatsoever.
- He had lost a fine wife, an elegant consort, a selfless companion.
- Queen Victoria, her consort Prince Albert and the Royal children lined a balcony of Hull's premier hotel and waved to the crowds of children below dutifully singing the National Anthem.
Synonyms
partner, companion, mate, helpmate, helpmeet;
spouse, husband, wife
2A ship sailing in company with another.The heavy guns of the besieged ship and her consort boomed out time and again with no luck while the smaller defensive guns were unable to pierce the heavy shields - when they managed to land a hit that is....
- The first ship and its consorts attacked from the port stern and slightly below, and the second ship and its consorts attacked from the starboard bow and slightly above.
- Tirpitz and her consorts had slipped northwards along the Norwegian coast, from where she and her consorts could wreak havoc on a convoy - or break out into the Atlantic to prowl with greater freedom.
verb /kənˈsɔːt / [no object] (consort with)
/ [no object] (consort with)1Habitually associate with (someone), typically with the disapproval of others: you chose to consort with the enemy...
- Maybe he should have thought a little harder before consorting with the enemy.
- My lovely and talented daughter is consorting with the enemy this year, so there should be some competition in the target-shooting and archery events.
- And here was a man who knowingly consorted with the enemy.
Synonyms
associate, keep company, mix, mingle, go around, spend time, socialize, fraternize, have dealings, rub shoulders;
North American rub elbows
informal hobnob, run around, hang around/round, hang out, knock about/around, pal around, chum around, be thick
British informal hang about
1.1 (consort with/to) archaic Agree or be in harmony with: it did not consort with his idea of scientific government
Origin
Late Middle English (denoting a companion or colleague): via French from Latin consors 'sharing, partner', from con- 'together with' + sors, sort- 'lot, destiny'. The verb senses are probably influenced by similar senses (now obsolete) of the verb sort.
Rhymes
consort2
/ˈkɒnsɔːt/noun
A small group of musicians performing together, typically playing instrumental music of the Renaissance period: a consort of viols [as modifier]: an anthology of Tudor consort music...
- Based in Amsterdam, The Fortuna Consort is an early music group exploring renaissance consort music in the form of recorder trio and lute.
- Music specifically for viol consorts became increasingly sophisticated, with elaborate contrapuntal fantasias or ‘Fancies’.
- They decided to explore renaissance consort music in the form of recorder trio with lute.
Origin
Late 16th century: earlier form of concert.