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chapter definition

chap·ter (c̸hap′tər)

noun

  1. any of the main divisions of a book or other writing
  2. a thing like a chapter; part; episode a chapter of one's life

    1. Etymology: from meeting at which a chapter of monastic rule, etc. was read

      a formal meeting of canons headed by a dean, or of the members of a religious order
    2. those assembled at such a meeting
  4. ☆ a local branch of a club, fraternity, etc.

Etymology: ME & OFr chapitre, chapitle < L capitulum, head, capital (in LL, division of a writing; in ML, church division), dim. of caput, head

transitive verb

to divide (a book, etc.) into chapters
chapter Idioms

chapter and verse

  1. the exact Scriptural reference
  2. authority cited (for a statement, belief, etc.)
  3. detailed information

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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