Definition of chapter

The word "chapter" has its roots in Middle English, derived from the Old French word "chaptre," which is itself from the Latin "capitulum," meaning "head" or "title." In Latin, "capitulum" referred to the heading or title of a book or section, and was often used to divide a larger work into smaller sections or "chapters." The word "chapter" entered Middle English in the 13th century and originally referred to a section of a book, but over time it came to describe a sequence of events or a division of a narrative. Today, the word "chapter" is used in a variety of contexts, including literature, history, and even life experience, to describe a new or memorable period.