(also Chan·cel·lor ) / ˈtʃɑːnsələ(r); NAmE ˈtʃæns-/ noun (often used in a title)
1.
the head of government in Germany or Austria :
Chancellor Adenauer
2.
( BrE ) = Chancellor of the Exchequer :
MPs waited for the chancellor's announcement.
3.
the official head of a university in Britain. Chancellor is an honorary title.
—compare vice chancellor
4.
the head of some American universities
5.
used in the titles of some senior state officials in Britain :
the Lord Chancellor (= a senior law official)
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English from Old French cancelier , from late Latin cancellarius porter, secretary (originally a court official stationed at the grating separating public from judges), from cancelli crossbars.