chancel

[ chan-suhl, chahn- ]

noun

1. the space about the altar of a church, usually enclosed, for the clergy and other officials.

chancel

/ ˈtʃɑːnsəl /

noun

1. the part of a church containing the altar, sanctuary, and choir, usually separated from the nave and transepts by a screen

Other Words From

• chanceled chancelled adjective
• sub·chancel noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chancel¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French < Late Latin cancellus lattice, railing or screen before the altar of a church, Latin cancell ( ī ) (plural) lattice, railing, grating; cancel

Word History and Origins

Origin of chancel¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin cancellī (plural) lattice

Example Sentences

Before he could say another word, men from each corner of the chancel hooted and howled.

From Los Angeles Times

Or was the vault under the chancel of Gateshead Church an inviting bourne?

From Literature

She was a deacon, bell ringer and member of the chancel choir at Falls Church Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years.

From Washington Post

By turns mournful and joyous, the instrument energized congregations and fostered a call and response between the chancel and the pews.

From Washington Post

Above the chancel of Santa María la Blanca, a small, bustling parish church in Canillejas, sits an ornate wooden ceiling of stars and leaves that is among the finest, and oldest, in Spain.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• chapel
• mosque
• parish
• sanctuary
• shrine
• synagogue
• temple