CHAPLAIN, noun 1. An ecclesiastic who has a chapel, or who performs service in a chapel. The king of Great Britain has forty-eight chaplains, who attend, four each month, to perform divine service for the royal family. Princes also, and persons of quality have chaplains, who officiate in their chapels. 2. A clergyman who belongs to a ship of war, or to a regiment of land forces, for performing divine service. 3. A clergyman who is retained to perform divine service in a family. CHAPLAINs of the Pope, are auditors or judges of causes in the sacred palace.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI