■ noun
1》 a main division of a book.
↘an Act of Parliament numbered as part of a session's proceedings.
2》 a distinctive period in history or in a person's life.
3》 the governing body of a cathedral or other religious community, or of a knightly order.
4》 chiefly N. Amer. a local branch of a society.
Phrases
~ and verse an exact reference or authority.
a ~ of accidents a series of unfortunate events.
Origin
ME: from OFr. chapitre , from L. capitulum , dimin. of caput 'head'.