chapter
CHAP-tur
/ˈtʃæptər/
A local branch or unit of a larger national society, fraternity, sorority, or organization.
Refers to the specific university-level group operating under the charter of a national umbrella body.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'capitulum' (diminutive of caput, 'head'), monastic communities originally met daily to read a chapter of religious rules. The meeting room became known as the 'chapter house', and the group itself became the 'chapter'.
Word relationships
- branch: Branch is a general commercial or organizational division, while chapter specifically implies a self-governing local lodge or student group.
- headquarters: Headquarters represents the central governing body of an organization.
Commonly confused with
- charter: A chapter is the group of members at a university, whereas a charter is the legal document granting that group authority to operate.
Collocations
- local chapter
- chapter meeting
- charter a chapter
- chapter president
Idioms & expressions
- a new chapter
Example sentences
- "Our campus chapter won the national distinction for outstanding academic achievement among all university branches." Campus organization
- "The non-profit organization established a new regional chapter in the state capital." Corporate branching
Memory hook
Every local branch adds a new CHAPTER to the fraternity book. Local branch of a national house
When not to use
Do not use to refer to the entire national national organization as a whole.
Fun facts
- Fraternity chapters are usually designated by Greek letter combinations, often based on the order in which they were established.
Related words
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