ˈchaptə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English chapitre division of a book, meeting of canons, body of canons, from Old French, from Late Latin capitulum division of a book & Medieval Latin capitulum meeting place of canons (where the meetings were frequently opened by the reading of a chapter from the Scriptures), from Latin, small head, diminutive of capit-, caput head — more at head
1.
a. : a main division of a book or treatise usually beginning on a new page
b. : a significant portion of anything conceived as adaptable to presentation in such divisions
begin a new chapter in one's life
with his death a chapter in the development of the north … was closed — Harold Griffin
2. : a regular meeting or assembly for business or conference of the canons of a cathedral or collegiate church or of canonesses, monks, or members of a religious or nonreligious order
3.
a. : the body of canons of a cathedral or collegiate church who are presided over by a dean
b. : an organized especially local branch or unit of a society or fraternity
4. : one of the hour numerals on a clock or watch dial
5. : a short passage of scripture between the last psalm and the hymn in lauds and the little hours