Chap"ter (?), v. t. 1. To
divide into chapters, as a book.
Fuller.
2. To correct; to bring to book, i. e., to demand chapter and verse. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Chap"ter (?), n. [OF. chapitre, F.
chapitre, fr. L. capitulum, dim. of caput head, the chief person or thing, the
principal division of a writing,
chapter. See Chief, and cf, Chapiter.]
1. A division of
a book or treatise; as, Genesis has fifty chapters.
2.
(Eccl.) (a) An assembly of monks, or of the prebends and other clergymen connected with a cathedral, conventual, or collegiate church, or of a diocese, usually presided over
by the dean.(b)
A community of canons or
canonesses.(c) A bishop's council.(d)
A business meeting of any religious community.
3. An organized branch of some society or fraternity as of the Freemasons.
Robertson.
4. A meeting of certain organized societies or
orders.
5. A chapter house. [R.] Burrill.
6. A decretal epistle. Ayliffe.
7. A location or compartment.
In his bosom!
In what chapter of his bosom?
Shak.
Chapter head, or Chapter heading, that which stands at the head of a chapter,
as a title. -- Chapter house, a house or room
where a chapter meets, esp. a cathedral chapter. --
The chapter of accidents, chance.
Marryat.
Hear it pronounced