chancel

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

chancel
    n 1: area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir;
         often enclosed by a lattice or railing [syn: {chancel},
         {sanctuary}, {bema}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Chancel \Chan"cel\, n. [OF. chancel, F. chanceau, cancel, fr. L.
   cancelli lattices, crossbars. (The chancel was formerly
   inclosed with lattices or crossbars) See {Cancel}, v. t.]
   (Arch.)
   (a) That part of a church, reserved for the use of the
       clergy, where the altar, or communion table, is placed.
       Hence, in modern use;
   (b) All that part of a cruciform church which is beyond the
       line of the transept farthest from the main front.
       [1913 Webster]

   {Chancel aisle} (Arch.), the aisle which passes on either
      side of or around the chancel.

   {Chancel arch} (Arch.), the arch which spans the main
      opening, leading to the chancel.

   {Chancel casement}, the principal window in a chancel.
      --Tennyson.

   {Chancel table}, the communion table.
      [1913 Webster]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

23 Moby Thesaurus words for "chancel":
      Easter sepulcher, ambry, apse, baptistery, blindstory, choir,
      cloisters, confessional, confessionary, crypt, diaconicon,
      diaconicum, nave, porch, presbytery, rood loft, rood stair,
      rood tower, sacrarium, sacristy, transept, triforium, vestry