Definition of: chancery

(chan′sər·ē, chän′-) noun plural ·cer·ies
1. In the United States, a court of equity, as distinguished from a common–law court.
2. Brit. Previously to 1873, the court presided over by the Lord High Chancellor of England, the highest court next to the House of Lords; since the Judicature Act of 1873, one of the five divisions of the High Court of Justice.
3. A court of records; archives.
4. A chancellery.
5. The business and legal offices of a Roman Catholic diocese or archdiocese.
6. A wrestling hold.
—in chancery
1. Pending in a court of chancery; also, under the supervision of the Lord Chancellor.
2. In a hopeless predicament.
3. In boxing, said of the head caught and held under the arm of an opponent. [<OF chancellerie <chancelier. See CHANCELLOR.]