A professional who offers spiritual or religious support to individuals associated with an institution such as a school, hospital, or military base.

Chap"lain (?), n. [F. chapelain, fr. LL. capellanus, fr. capella. See Chapel.]

1.

An ecclesiastic who has a chapel, or who performs religious service in a chapel.

2.

A clergyman who is officially attached to the army or navy, to some public institution, or to a family or court, for the purpose of performing divine service.

3.

Any person (clergyman or layman) chosen to conduct religious exercises for a society, etc.; as, a chaplain of a Masonic or a temperance lodge.

 

© Webster 1913.

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