n.1 a main division of a book.
2 a period of time (in a person's life, a nation's history, etc.).
3 a series or sequence (a chapter of misfortunes).
4 a the canons of a cathedral or other religious community or knightly order. b a meeting of these.
5 an Act of Parliament numbered as part of a session's proceedings.
6 US a local branch of a society.
Phrases and idioms:
chapter and verse an exact reference or authority. chapter house
1. a building used for the meetings of a chapter.
2 US the place where a college fraternity or sorority meets.
Etymology: ME f. OF chapitre f. L capitulum dimin. of caput -itis head