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chancellor

The definition of a chancellor is a political leader, a senior state or legal official, or the head of a university.

(noun)

The head of the government in Germany is an example of a chancellor.
The head of Harvard University is an example of a chancellor.

See chancellor in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Obsolete an official secretary to a nobleman or, esp., a king
Rare the chief secretary of an embassy or consulate
any of several high officials in the British government, sometimes with judicial powers
the title of the president or a high executive officer in some universities
the prime minister in certain countries
☆ a chief judge of a court of chancery or equity in some states of the U.S.
R.C.Ch. the title of the priest in charge of a diocesan chancery

Origin: ME < chanceler < OFr < LL cancellarius, secretary, lit., keeper of the barrier: so called from the lattice behind which he worked: see cancel

Related Forms:

chancellorship noun

See chancellor in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Abbr. C.

Any of various officials of high rank, especially:
a. A secretary to a monarch or noble.
b. Chiefly British The chief secretary of an embassy.
c. The chief minister of state in some European countries.
a. The president of certain American universities.
b. Chiefly British The honorary or titular head of a university.
Law The presiding judge of a court of chancery or equity in some states of the United States.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English chaunceler

Origin: , from Old French chancelier

Origin: , from Late Latin cancellārius, doorkeeper

Origin: , from Latin cancellī, bars, latticework; see cancel

Related Forms: