chancery

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtʃɑːns(ə)ri/

noun (plural chanceries)

  • 1 (Chancery or Chancery Division) Law (in the UK) the Lord Chancellor’s court, a division of the High Court of Justice.
  • US a court of law that decides legal cases based on the principle of equity.
  • historical the court of a bishop’s chancellor.
  • 2chiefly British an office attached to an embassy or consulate.
  • 3a public record office.

Phrases

in chancery

informal (of a boxer or wrestler) with their head held, contrary to the rules, between the opponent’s arm and body and unable to avoid blows.

Origin:

late Middle English: contraction of chancellery