Hypertext Webster Gateway: "chancel"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Chancel \Chan"cel\, n. [OF. chancel, F. chanceau, cancel, fr. L.
cancelli lattices, crossbars. (The chancel was formerly
inclosed with lattices or crossbars) See {Cancel}, v. t.]
(Arch.)
(a) That part of a church, reserved for the use of the
clergy, where the altar, or communion table, is placed.
Hence, in modern use;
(b) All that part of a cruciform church which is beyond the
line of the transept farthest from the main front.
{Chancel aisle} (Arch.), the aisle which passes on either
side of or around the chancel.
{Chancel arch} (Arch.), the arch which spans the main
opening, leading to the chancel.
{Chancel casement}, the principal window in a chancel.
--Tennyson.
{Chancel table}, the communion table.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
chancel
n : area around the altar of a church for the clergy and choir;
often enclosed by a lattice or railing [syn: {sanctuary},
{bema}]
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