chaplain

The definition of a chaplain is a religious person who performs religious services in a chapel, hospital, church or in the armed services.

(noun)

An example of a chaplain is a priest who works in a hospital.

See chaplain in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a clergyman attached to a chapel, as of a royal court
a minister, priest, or rabbi serving in a religious capacity with the armed forces, or in a prison, hospital, etc.
a clergyman, or sometimes a layman, appointed to perform religious functions in a public institution, club, etc.

Origin: ME chapelain < OFr < ML capellanus, orig., custodian of St. Martin's cloak: see chapel

Related Forms:

See chaplain in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun Abbr. Ch.

A member of the clergy attached to a chapel.
a. A member of the clergy who conducts religious services for an institution, such as a prison or hospital.
b. A member of the clergy who is connected with a royal court or an aristocratic household.
A member of the clergy attached to a branch of the armed forces.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English chapelein

Origin: , from Old French chapelain

Origin: , from Medieval Latin capellānus

Origin: , from capella, chapel; see chapel

Related Forms: