The chapter of accidents

Chapter Chap"ter, n. [OF. chapitre, F. chapitre, fr. L. capitulum, dim. of caput head, the chief person or thing, the principal division of a writing, chapter. See {Chief}, and cf, {Chapiter}.] 1. A division of a book or treatise; as, Genesis has fifty chapters. [1913 Webster]

2. (Eccl.) (a) An assembly of monks, or of the prebends and other clergymen connected with a cathedral, conventual, or collegiate church, or of a diocese, usually presided over by the dean. (b) A community of canons or canonesses. (c) A bishop's council. (d) A business meeting of any religious community. [1913 Webster]

3. An organized branch of some society or fraternity as of the Freemasons. --Robertson. [1913 Webster]

4. A meeting of certain organized societies or orders. [1913 Webster]

5. A chapter house. [R.] --Burrill. [1913 Webster]

6. A decretal epistle. --Ayliffe. [1913 Webster]

7. A location or compartment. [1913 Webster]

In his bosom! In what chapter of his bosom? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Chapter head}, or {Chapter heading}, that which stands at the head of a chapter, as a title.

{Chapter house}, a house or room where a chapter meets, esp. a cathedral chapter.

{The chapter of accidents}, chance. --Marryat. [1913 Webster]