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

No balanced understanding of Franco can be had without reading his works, especially “The Franco Regime: 1936-1975,” published in 1987, and its final chapter in particular, “The Franco Regime in Perspective.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Carefully opening the volume, he showed AFP the chapter on the redemption of prisoners in Jewish law.

Read more on Barron's

On behalf of all the physicians, nurses and staff who have walked these halls, it is with heavy hearts that we mark the end of this chapter.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Nicklaus Cos., founded in 2007 when Nicklaus sold a large stake in his design, equipment manufacturing and licensing businesses, is expected to explore a sale of its business or a reorganization in chapter 11.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That created the rhythm, and I said, OK, so look for the opportunity in every chapter for — and it’s always a minor character.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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