/kan sel"euhs/ , n. , pl. cancelli /-sel"uy, -sel"ee/ . Archit.
1. (in an early Christian basilica) one of a row of bars separating the clergy and sometimes the choir from the congregation.
2. (in an ancient Roman basilica) one of a row of bars separating the court personnel from the spectators.
3. cancelli , a screen of such bars.
[ canc ( ri ) grating (pl. of cancer, appar. dissimilated form of carcer prison) + -ellus dim. suffix ]