Chăn'çel, n.

n. [O. Fr. chancel, chanceau, from Lat. cancelli, lattices, cross-bars, inclosing the place, diminutive of cancer, lattice; It. cancello, lattice, bar, Sp. cancel, cancilla, a wooden screen at the doors of churches, a wicker gate. See CANCEL, v. t.] That part of a church, between the altar, or communion table, and the balustrade, or railing, that incloses it, or that part where the altar is placed; formerly inclosed with lattices, or cross-bars, but now with rails.