Now rare. [f. CONSORT sb.1 + -SHIP.]
1. The state or position of a consort or associate; association, fellowship, partnership.
1628. Le Grys, trans. Barclay’s Argenis, 182. That it was himselfe who had receiued the benefit, in being admitted to the consortship of his armes.
1682. trans. Erastus’ Treat. Excomm., 67. The Apostle directs Good men to shun all Consortship with Ill.
2. spec. † a. Partnership in office. Obs.
1632. Le Grys, trans. Vell. Pater., 317. Raised to … the Consortship with him of the Tribuniciall power.
1677. R. Cary, Chronol., II. I. § 1. xiii. 125. She … would not admit him to a Consortship in Government.
b. Partnership in marriage; the position of consort.
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc., IV. i. (1654), 292. Thus … must the parent either keep his virgin, or labour for the provision of a meete consortship.
1865. McLennan, Prim. Marriage, iv. 63. A permanent consortship.
c. Naut. See quots. and CONSORT sb.1 2.
1592. Ld. Burleigh, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., III. IV. 104. When two or more ships do joyne in consortship together, then whatsoever is gotten in that consortship is to be divided tonne for tonne, and man for man.
a. 1649. Winthrop, Hist. New Eng. (1853), I. 3. Articles of consortship were drawn up between the said captains and masters.
1697. Dampier, Voy. (1698), I. 223. The 25th Day Capt. Davis and Captain Swan broke off Consortships.
1712. W. Rogers, Voy. (1718), 2. We weigh’d from Kingroad … in consortship with the Dutchess.
1868. H. D. Grant, Rep. Wrecking in Bahamas, 36. Consortship is an agreement between two vessels to share according to terms agreed on beforehand, in whatever salvage they may earn during their … voyages.
