from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chapter \Chap"ter\, n. [OF. chapitre, F. chapitre, fr. L.
capitulum, dim. of caput head, the chief person or thing, the
principal division of a writing, chapter. See {Chief}, and
cf, {Chapiter}.]
1. A division of a book or treatise; as, Genesis has fifty
chapters.
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2. (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.
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3. An organized branch of some society or fraternity as of
the Freemasons. --Robertson.
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4. A meeting of certain organized societies or orders.
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5. A chapter house. [R.] --Burrill.
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6. A decretal epistle. --Ayliffe.
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7. A location or compartment.
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In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom? --Shak.
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{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.
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