Chap"lain (?), n. [F. chapelain, fr. LL. capellanus, fr. capella. See Chapel.]
1.
An ecclesiastic who has a chapel, or who performs religious service in a chapel.
2.
A clergyman who is officially attached to the army or navy, to some public institution, or to a family or court, for the purpose of performing divine service.
3.
Any person (clergyman or layman) chosen to conduct religious exercises for a society, etc.; as, a chaplain of a Masonic or a temperance lodge.
© Webster 1913.