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Showing results for chancel. Search instead for chancels'.
Synonyms

chancel

American  
[chan-suhl, chahn-] / ˈtʃæn səl, ˈtʃɑn- /

noun

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

chancel British  
/ ˈtʃɑːnsəl /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • chanceled adjective
  • chancelled adjective
  • subchancel noun

Etymology

Origin of chancel

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before he could say another word, men from each corner of the chancel hooted and howled.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2023

By turns mournful and joyous, the instrument energized congregations and fostered a call and response between the chancel and the pews.

From Washington Post • Jun. 16, 2020

The coffins have been left undisturbed, though builders have installed a glass panel in the chancel floor above them for visitors to catch a glimpse.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2017

Two of the three faces in the church’s chancel windows portraying St. Paul, St. John and Christ knocking at the door were cracked and had to be sent to England.

From Washington Times • Mar. 13, 2017

“A chancel Just you try! Oh, John, I’m so happy I could dance a jig!”

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.