chancel

[ chan-suhl, chahn- ]

noun

1. the space about the altar of a church, usually enclosed, for the clergy and other officials.

chancel

/ ˈtʃɑːnsəl /

noun

1. the part of a church containing the altar, sanctuary, and choir, usually separated from the nave and transepts by a screen

Other Words From

• chanceled chancelled adjective
• sub·chancel noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chancel¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French < Late Latin cancellus lattice, railing or screen before the altar of a church, Latin cancell ( ī ) (plural) lattice, railing, grating; cancel

Word History and Origins

Origin of chancel¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin cancellī (plural) lattice

Example Sentences

My chair was near the chancel rail, I now turned toward the west end of the church.

From The Daily Beast

Since 1996, Bolding has been director of the Chancel Choir (renamed The Inspirational Voices of Abyssinian in 2008).

From The Daily Beast

Dickson instantly fell upon the English in the chancel, and a neighbour followed his example; but both were slain.

From Project Gutenberg

The Solo organ and one-third of the Pedal organ are under the first arch on the north side of the chancel.

From Project Gutenberg

The Altar organ, which can be played through the Solo organ keys, is under the second arch on the north side of the chancel.

From Project Gutenberg

The keyboards are on the north side of the chancel, inside the organ case, and can be seen from the "whispering gallery."

From Project Gutenberg

It is contained in two cases on each side of the triforium of the chancel and blown by an electric installation of 85 h.p.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chapel
• mosque
• parish
• sanctuary
• shrine
• synagogue
• temple