a main division of a book, treatise, or the like, usually bearing a number or title.
2.
a branch, usually restricted to a given locality, of a society, organization, fraternity, etc.: the Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross.
3.
an important portion or division of anything: The atomic bomb opened a new chapter in history.
4.
Ecclesiastical.
a.
an assembly of the monks in a monastery, of those in a province, or of the entire order.
b.
a general assembly of the canons of a church.
c.
a meeting of the elected representatives of the provinces or houses of a religious community.
d.
the body of such canons or representatives collectively.
5.
any general assembly.
6.
Liturgy. a short scriptural quotation read at various parts of the office, as after the last psalm in the service of lauds, prime, tierce, etc.
7.
Horology. any of the marks or numerals designating the hours on a dial.
–verb (used with object)
8.
to divide into or arrange in chapters.
[Origin: 1175–1225; ME chapiter, var. of chapitre < OF < L capitulum little head (capit-, s. of caput head + -ulum-ule); in LL: section of a book; in ML: section read at a meeting, hence, the meeting, esp. one of canons, hence, a body of canons]
a section of the Bankruptcy Code that provides for the reorganization of an insolvent corporation under court supervision and can establish a schedule for the payment of debts and, in some cases, a new corporation that can continue to do business.
One of the main divisions of a relatively lengthy piece of writing, such as a book, that is usually numbered or titled.
A distinct period or sequence of events, as in history or a person's life: Steamboat travel opened a new chapter in America's exploration of the West.
A local branch of an organization, such as a club or fraternity: The Chicago chapter is admitting new members this year.
Ecclesiastical
An assembly of the canons of a church or of the members of a religious residence.
The canons of a church or the members of a religious residence considered as a group.
A short scriptural passage read after the psalms in certain church services.
[Middle English chaptre, variant of chapitre, chapter, chapiter, from Old French, alteration of chapitle, from Latin capitulum, diminutive of caput, head; see kaput- in Indo-European roots.]
c.1200, "main division of a book," from O.Fr. chapitre, alt. of chapitle, from L. capitulum, dim. of caput (gen. capitis) "head" (see head). Sense of "local branch" traces to convocations of canons at cathedral churches, during which the rules of the order or a chapter (capitulum) of Scripture were read aloud.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled; "he read a chapter every night before falling asleep"
2.
any distinct period in history or in a person's life; "the industrial revolution opened a new chapter in British history"; "the divorce was an ugly chapter in their relationship"
3.
a local branch of some fraternity or association; "he joined the Atlanta chapter"
4.
an ecclesiastical assembly of the monks in a monastery or even of the canons of a church
5.
a series of related events forming an episode; "a chapter of disasters"
Cap"i*tal\, n. [Cf. L. capitellum and Capitulum, a small head, the head, top, or capital of a column, dim. of caput head; F. chapiteau, OF. capitel. See Chief, and cf. Cattle, Chattel, Chapiter, Chapter.]1. (Arch.) The head or uppermost member of a column, pilaster, etc. It consists generally of three parts, abacus, bell (or vase), and necking. See these terms, and Column. 2. [Cf. F. capilate, fem., sc. ville.] (Geog.) The seat of government; the chief city or town in a country; a metropolis. "A busy and splendid capital" --Macauly. 3. [Cf. F. capital.] Money, property, or stock employed in trade, manufactures, etc.; the sum invested or lent, as distinguished from the income or interest. See Capital stock, under Capital, a. 4. (Polit. Econ.) That portion of the produce of industry, which may be directly employed either to support human beings or to assist in production. --M'Culloch. Note: When wealth is used to assist production it is called capital. The capital of a civilized community includes fixed capital (i.e. buildings, machines, and roads used in the course of production and exchange) amd circulating capital (i.e., food, fuel, money, etc., spent in the course of production and exchange). --T. Raleigh. 5. Anything which can be used to increase one's power or influence. He tried to make capital out of his rival's discomfiture. --London Times. 6. (Fort.) An imaginary line dividing a bastion, ravelin, or other work, into two equal parts. 7. A chapter, or section, of a book. [Obs.] Holy St. Bernard hath said in the 59th capital. --Sir W. Scott. 8. (Print.) See Capital letter, under Capital, a. Active capital. See under Active, Small capital (Print.), a small capital letter. See under Capital, a. To live on one's capital, to consume one's capital without producing or accumulating anything to replace it.
Chap"i*ter\, n. [OF. chapitel, F. chapiteau, from L. capitellum, dim. of caput head. Cf. Capital, Chapter.]1. (Arch.) A capital [Obs.] See Chapital. --Ex. xxxvi. 38. 2. (Old Eng. Law) A summary in writing of such matters as are to be inquired of or presented before justices in eyre, or justices of assize, or of the peace, in their sessions; -- also called articles. --Jacob.
![[P]](http://cache.lexico.com/g/d/premium_mh.gif){kind=small}
Audio Help [chap-ter] Pronunciation Key 
