MEANING
The part of a church around the altar, often including the choir and reserved for clergy.
Use it for
Sacred spatial divisions, privileged access, church ceremonies.Make a threshold inside the church meaningful rather than decorative.
Words that belong together
- chancel arch
- chancel screen
- steps to the chancel
On the page
A screen separated the chancel from the crowded nave.
She found the torn letter beneath a chair in the chancel.
During the service, sunlight reached the chancel before the rest of the church.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- chancel
Usage notes
Primary category: gothic. Distinguished from the congregation's nave; layouts and access rules vary. Plural chancels.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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