[chap.el] n [ME, fr. OF chapele, fr. ML cappella, fr. dim. of LL cappa cloak; fr. the cloak of St. Martin of Tours preserved as a sacred relic in a chapel built for that purpose] (13c) 1: a subordinate or private place of worship: as a: a place of worship serving a residence or institution b: a small house of worship usu. associated with a main church c: a room or recess in a church for meditation and prayer or small religious services
2: a place of worship used by a Christian group other than an established church "a nonconformist ~"
3: a choir of singers belonging to a chapel (as of a prince)
4: a chapel service or assembly at a school or college
5: an association of the employees in a printing office
6. a: funeral home b: a room for funeral services in a funeral home