/ ˈtʃæplɪn; NAmE / noun
a priest or other Christian minister who is responsible for the religious needs of people in a prison, hospital, etc. or in the armed forces
—compare padre , priest
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French chapelain , from medieval Latin cappellanus , originally denoting a custodian of the cloak of St Martin, from cappella , originally little cloak, diminutive of cappa cap or cape.