Chapter | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Chāp'i-ter, n.

noun

n. [O. Fr. chapitel, N. Fr. chapiteau, Pr., Sp., & Pg. capitel, It. capitello, Late Lat. capitellum, capitulum, dim. of caput, head. Cf. CAPITAL and CHAPTER.]

(Arch.) The upper part or capital of a column or pillar. [Obs.] See CAPITAL.
(Law.) A summary in writing of such matters as are to be inquired of or presented before justices in eyre, or justices of assize, or of the peace, in their sessions, called more commonly articles, and delivered orally or in writing by the justice to the inquest. Jacobs.

Cháp'ter, n.

noun

n. [O. Eng. chapitre, chapitre, Fr. chapitre, O. Fr. capitale, Pr. capitol, It. capitolo, Sp. & Pg. capítulo, Lat. capitulum, dim. of caput, head, the chief person or thing, the principal division of a writing, chapter.]

Sense 1. A division of a book or treatise; as, Genesis contains fifty chapters.

Sense 2. (Eccl.) A community or corporation composed of the prebends and other clergymen belonging to a cathedral or collegiate church, and presided over by the dean.

Sense 3. An organized branch of some society or fraternity, as of the freemasons, &c.

Sense 4. The meeting of certain organized societies.

Sense 5. A place where delinquents receive discipline and correction. Ayliffe.

Sense 6. A decretal epistle. Ayliffe.

Chăp'ter, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To correct or reprove; to censure. [Obs.] Dryden.