chapter

[chap-ter]

noun

1. a main division of a book, treatise, or the like, usually bearing a number or title.

2. a branch, usually restricted to a given locality, of a society, organization, fraternity, etc..

   the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross.

3. an important portion or division of anything.

   The atomic bomb opened a new chapter in history.

   Synonyms: phase, period, episode, era

4. Ecclesiastical.

   1. an assembly of the monks in a monastery, of those in a province, or of the entire order.

   2. a general assembly of the canons of a church.

   3. a meeting of the elected representatives of the provinces or houses of a religious community.

   4. the body of such canons or representatives collectively.

5. any general assembly.

6. Liturgy.,  a short scriptural quotation read at various parts of the office, as after the last psalm in the service of lauds, prime, tierce, etc.

7. Horology.,  any of the marks or numerals designating the hours on a dial.

verb (used with object)

1. to divide into or arrange in chapters.

chapter

/ ˈtʃæptə /

noun

1. a division of a written work, esp a narrative, usually titled or numbered

2. a sequence of events having a common attribute

   a chapter of disasters

3. 1. a series of misfortunes

   2. the unforeseeable course of events

4. an episode or period in a life, history, etc

5. a numbered reference to that part of a Parliamentary session which relates to a specified Act of Parliament

6. a branch of some societies, clubs, etc, esp of a secret society

7. the collective body or a meeting of the canons of a cathedral or collegiate church or of the members of a monastic or knightly order

8. a general assembly of some organization

9. exact authority for an action or statement

verb

1. (tr) to divide into chapters

Other Word Forms

• chapteral adjective
• unchapter verb (used with object)
• unchaptered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chapter¹

1175–1225; Middle English chapiter, variant of chapitre < Old French < Latin capitulum little head ( capit-, stem of caput head + -ulum -ule ); in Late Latin: section of a book; in Medieval Latin: section read at a meeting, hence, the meeting, especially one of canons, hence, a body of canons

Word History and Origins

Origin of chapter¹

C13: from Old French chapitre, from Latin capitulum, literally: little head, hence, section of writing, from caput head; in Medieval Latin: chapter of scripture or of a religious rule, a gathering for the reading of this, hence, assemblage of clergy

Example Sentences

If this first chapter succeeds with audiences, an “Aztec Batman” sequel is feasible.

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Ms. Case’s lyrics are so vivid and well-rendered you feel like they could just as easily be transformed into epic poems, personal essays, or chapters in a book.

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There is an illuminating chapter on the misleading and exaggerated claims about protein.

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By his final chapter, Mr. Ambar leaves no doubt about which modern leader his book is describing.

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“It closed the chapter on all the craziness of the past few years,” said Amanda, who is 32, works in market research sales and has a master’s degree.

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Related Words

• affiliate 
• branch 
• division 
• episode 
• member 
• phase 
• stage 
• unit