\Chan"cel*lor\, n. [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}.]
A judicial court of chancery, which in England and in the
United States is distinctively a court with equity
jurisdiction.
Note: 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.
{Chancellor} {of a bishop, or of a diocese} (R. C. Ch. & ch.
   of Eng.), a law officer appointed to hold the bishop's
   court in his diocese, and to assist him in matter of
   ecclesiastical law.
{Chancellor of a cathedral}, one of the four chief
   dignitaries of the cathedrals of the old foundation, and
   an officer whose duties are chiefly educational, with
   special reference to the cultivation of theology.
{Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster}, an officer before
   whom, or his deputy, the court of the duchy chamber of
   Lancaster is held. This is a special jurisdiction.
{Chancellor of a university}, the chief officer of a
   collegiate body. In Oxford, he is elected for life; in
   Cambridge, for a term of years; and his office is
   honorary, the chief duties of it devolving on the vice
   chancellor.
{Chancellor of the exchequer}, a member of the British
   cabinet upon whom devolves the charge of the public income
   and expenditure as the highest finance minister of the
   government.
{Chancellor of the order of the Garter} (or other military
   orders), an officer who seals the commissions and mandates
   of the chapter and assembly of the knights, keeps the
   register of their proceedings, and delivers their acts
   under the seal of their order.
{Lord high chancellor of England}, the presiding judge in the
   court of chancery, the highest judicial officer of the
   crown, and the first lay person of the state after the
   blood royal. He is created chancellor by the delivery into
   his custody of the great seal, of which he becomes keeper.
   He is privy counselor by his office, and prolocutor of the
   House of Lords by prescription.