n. 1. Any of various officials of high rank, especially: a. A secretary to a monarch or noble. b. Chiefly British The chief secretary of an embassy. c. The chief minister of state in some European countries. 2. a. The president of certain American universities. b. Chiefly British The honorary or titular head of a university. 3. Law The presiding judge of a court of chancery or equity in some states of the United States and in Great Britain. [Middle English chaunceler, from Old French chancelier, from Late Latin cancellārius, doorkeeper, from Latin cancellī, bars, latticework; see CANCEL.] chancel·lor·ship′ n. |
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