chaplain

views updated May 14 2018

chap·lain / ˈchaplən/ • n. a member of the clergy attached to a private chapel, institution, ship, branch of the armed forces, etc.DERIVATIVES: chap·lain·cy / ˈchaplənsē/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

chaplain

views updated May 18 2018

chaplain XII. Early ME. capelein, superseding OE. capellān and superseded by chapelein — AN., OF. c(h)apelain :- medL. cappellānus orig. custodian of the cloak of St. Martin, f. cappella CHAPEL; see -AN.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

chaplain

views updated May 17 2018

chaplain a member of the clergy attached to a private chapel, institution, ship, regiment, etc. The word comes (in Middle English via Old French) from medieval Latin cappellanus, originally denoting a custodian of the cloak of St Martin, from cappella, originally ‘little cloak’ (see also chapel).

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

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