chancellor Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the British cabinet minister responsible for finance
    Chancellor of the Exchequer.
  2. noun the person who is head of state (in several countries)
    premier; prime minister.
  3. noun the honorary or titular head of a university

WordNet

Chan"cel*lor noun
Etymology
OE. canceler, chaunceler, F. chancelier, LL. cancellarius chancellor, a director of chancery, fr. L. cancelli lattices, crossbars, which surrounded the seat of judgment. See Chancel.
Definitions
  1. A judicial court of chancery, which in England and in the United States is distinctively a court with equity jurisdiction. ✍ The chancellor was originally a chief scribe or secretary under the Roman emperors, but afterward was invested with judicial powers, and had superintendence over the other officers of the empire. From the Roman empire this office passed to the church, and every bishop has his chancellor, the principal judge of his consistory. In later times, in most countries of Europe, the chancellor was a high officer of state, keeper of the great seal of the kingdom, and having the supervision of all charters, and like public instruments of the crown, which were authenticated in the most solemn manner. In France a secretary is in some cases called a chancellor. In Scotland, the appellation is given to the foreman of a jury, or assize. In the present German empire, the chancellor is the president of the federal council and the head of the imperial administration. In the United States, the title is given to certain judges of courts of chancery or equity, established by the statutes of separate States. Blackstone. Wharton.

Webster 1913