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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. An organized branch of some society or fraternity as of the Freemasons. Robertson. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. A meeting of certain organized societies or orders. [ 1913 Webster ]
5. A chapter house. [ R. ] Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]
6. A decretal epistle. Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]
7. A location or compartment. [ 1913 Webster ]
In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]