chancel

IPA/ˈtʃɑːnsl/
IPA/ˈtʃænsl/

chancel — noun

  • chancelsingular
  • chancelsplural

1. the space at the front of a church around and behind the altar that is used by c

1.名詞B2
釋義

the space at the front of a church around and behind the altar that is used by church leaders and choir members during services

例句

The priest walked through the wooden door into the chancel to begin the morning service.

preposition: into the chancel (movement toward)

During the wedding, the bride and groom stood together in the chancel before the altar.

同義詞
  • sanctuary

    narrower in many traditions — refers to the innermost part around the altar itself, which falls within the chancel

  • presbytery

    older term, mostly used in Catholic and Orthodox traditions for the clergy-only area of the chancel

反義詞
  • nave

    the main body of the church where the congregation sits, opposite the chancel

文法句型

the + chancel

in/into the + chancel

用法筆記

Typically preceded by 'the'. The chancel is distinct from the 'nave' (where the congregation sits) and the 'sanctuary' (the innermost area immediately around the altar, which lies within the chancel).

常見錯誤

❌The altar stands at the front of the chapel, where the choir sits.
✅The altar stands in the chancel at the front of the church, where the choir sits.
💡'chapel' is a small separate room or building for worship; 'chancel' is the specific area around the altar inside the main church building.
❌The children sat in the chancel during the service.
✅The choir stood in the chancel during the service.
💡The chancel is reserved for clergy and choir; the congregation sits in the nave, not the chancel.