Other forms: consorts, consorting
A consort is the husband or wife of a ruler. The queen consort, prince consort, royal consort.
The title matters: a queen consort is the wife of a king and a queen regnant rules in her own right, which is why Britain's queens have been carefully distinguished. A prince consort is the husband of a queen and takes no automatic title at all. As a verb, to consort with somebody is to keep company with them, always disapprovingly.
1nounconsortThe husband or wife of a ruler.
“The queen's consort walked a few steps behind her at official events.”
2verbkeepTo keep company with somebody, disapprovingly.
“The politician was criticised for consorting with known criminals.”
consort is a royal spouse, or an associating.
Latin consors means sharing a lot or fate — com plus sors, a lot. Sort, sorcerer and consortium come from the same lot.
Proto-Indo-European
*ser- (bind)
Middle English
consorte
Latin
cōnsors
English, today
consort
Borrowed from Middle French -, ultimately from Latin cōnsors. As “companion or partner”, via Middle English consorte.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA