Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CHAP'LAIN, n. [Fr. chapelain; Sp. capellan; It. cappellano; L. capellanus; from chapel.]

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. – Encyc.