n. 1 a State or legal official of various kinds. 2 the head of the government in some European countries, e.g. W. Germany. 3 the non-resident honorary head of a university. 4 a bishop's law officer. 5 US the president of a chancery court. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster a member of the government legally representing the Queen as Duke of Lancaster, often a Cabinet Minister employed on non-departmental work. Chancellor of the Exchequer the finance minister of the United Kingdom. Chancellor of the Garter etc. a government officer who seals commissions etc. Lord (or Lord High) Chancellor an officer presiding in the House of Lords, the Chancery Division, or the Court of Appeal. chancellorship n.
[ OE f. AF c(h)anceler, OF -ier f. LL cancellarius porter, secretary, f. cancelli lattice ]