Chapter: A Division of a Book, and a Stage of a Life
A chapter is a numbered division of a book. It also means a distinct period in someone's life, and a local branch of a society or club.
A chapter divides a long text into manageable parts. Two other senses matter as much: a chapter of a life is a period with its own shape, and a chapter of an organisation is a local branch — a use that started with cathedral clergy and now covers motorcycle clubs.
- A division of a book. *Read chapter four for Monday.*
- A period in a life or history. *A new chapter for the company.*
- A local branch of a society. *The Boston chapter.*
- A cathedral's governing body. *The dean and chapter.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | chapter | The final chapter. |
| Plural | chapters | Twelve chapters. |
| Compound | chapter house | The abbey's chapter house. |
| Phrase | chapter and verse | He quoted chapter and verse. |
| Related | section | Section three. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The book runs to twenty chapters.The plain textual sense.
- This closes a difficult chapter for the family.A period of life, with a beginning and an end.
- She can give you chapter and verse on the rules.Exact references — from citing scripture precisely.
How a cathedral gave the word to biker clubs
- Monks and canons met daily to hear a chapter of their rule read aloud
- The meeting took the name of the reading, and so did the room: the chapter house
- The governing body became the chapter, and then any organised local body
- American fraternities, professional societies and motorcycle clubs all inherited the term
From Latin *capitulum*, a little head, a diminutive of *caput* — so a chapter is a heading, and the same root runs through capital, captain and chapter alike.
What does chapter and verse mean?
Precise and detailed references. It comes from citing the Bible by chapter and verse number.
Is chapter capitalised?
Lowercase in running text — *see chapter three*. Capitalise only when it heads the page or names a specific titled chapter.