broken consort

noun. a musical ensemble with instruments of different types or families, as string and woodwind, especially for Renaissance music.

Though the authenticity of such terms is doubtful, some researchers have suggested that there were “whole” consorts, in which all the instruments were of one family (typically, stringed or wind instruments), and “broken” consorts, with different families of instruments.

“Broken consorts” are just called that because in the Queen's English, Elizabethan style, “broken” sometimes meant “mixed.” A “broken consort” is a “mixed consort,” that is, a group of different kinds of instrument playing together, like violin with flute, lute, and viola da gamba.

Only from the mid-17th century has there been a clear distinction made between a 'whole', or 'closed' consort, that is, all instruments of the same family (for example, a set of viols played together) and a 'mixed', or 'broken' consort, consisting of instruments from various families (for example viols and lute).

verb. If you say that someone consorts with a particular person or group, you mean that they spend a lot of time with them, and usually that you do not think this is a good thing. [formal, disapproval] He regularly consorted with known drug-dealers. [

a wife or husband : a wife or husband : spouse. consort. 2 of 2 verb. con·​sort.

early 15c., "partner" (a sense now obsolete), from Old French consort "colleague, partner," consorte "wife" (14c.), from Latin consortem (nominative consors) "partner, comrade; brother, sister," in Medieval Latin, "a wife," noun use of adjective meaning "having the same lot, of the same fortune," from assimilated form ...

to spend a lot of time in the company of a particular group of people, especially people whose character is not approved of: They claimed he had been consorting with drug dealers. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Being friends & getting to know them.

The role of The Queen's consort is primarily to provide companionship and moral and practical support to the Monarch. The consort does not hold a formal position in the structure of government and The Duke did not see State papers or hold official audiences.

1. : conjunction, association. He ruled in consort with his father. 2. : group, assembly.

She still holds the title and the crown, but doesn't have the same political or military powers as a king. This describes Camilla, who will be crowned alongside Charles at the ceremony. "Consort" means you're a monarch, but not entitled to rule, says Gullace. And it applies to men too.

consorted with; consorting with; consorts with. formal + disapproving. : to spend time with (someone) There is evidence that he has consorted with criminals.