Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CHAN'CEL, n. [Fr. chancel or chanceau; L. cancelli, lattices or cross bars, inclosing the place; Sp. cancel, cancilla, a wooden screen, a wicker gate; It. cancello, balustrades; Gr. κιγκλις; Ch. קנקל kankel or kankail, net-work; Syr. id. See Cancel.]

That part of the choir of a church, between the altar or communion table, and the balustrade or railing that incloses it, or that part where the altar is placed; formerly inclosed with lattices or cross bars, as now with rails. – Encyc. Johnson.