a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled; "he read a chapter every night before falling asleep"
a series of related events forming an episode; "a chapter of disasters"
a local branch of some fraternity or association; "he joined the Atlanta chapter"
an ecclesiastical assembly of the monks in a monastery or even of the canons of a church
any distinct period in history or in a person's life; "the industrial revolution opened a new chapter in British history"; "the divorce was an ugly chapter in their relationship"
composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance
of your own free will or design; not forced or compelled; "man is a voluntary agent"; "participation was voluntary"; "voluntary manslaughter"; "voluntary generosity in times of disaster"; "voluntary social workers"; "a voluntary confession"
controlled by individual volition; "voluntary motions"; "voluntary muscles"
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
a minor match preceding the main event
designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding; "a preliminary investigation"