Word Direct Answers

What does "chapter" mean?

Chapter: (Eccl.) (a) An assembly of monks, or of the prebends and other clergymen connected with a cathedral, conventual, or collegiate church, or of a diocese, usually presided over by the dean. (b) A community of canons or canonesses. (c) A bishop's council. (d) A business meeting of any religious community.

Additional senses

  1. 2.An organized branch of some society or fraternity as of the Freemasons. Robertson.
  2. 3.A meeting of certain organized societies or orders.
  3. 4.A chapter house. [R.] Burrill.
  4. 5.A decretal epistle. Ayliffe.
  5. 6.A location or compartment. In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom Shak. Chapter head, or Chapter heading, that which stands at the head of a chapter, as a title. -- Chapter house, a house or room where a chapter meets, esp. a cathedral chapter. -- The chapter of accidents, chance. Marryat.
  6. 7.To divide into chapters, as a book. Fuller.
  7. 8.To correct; to bring to book, i. e., to demand chapter and verse. [Obs.] Dryden.

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