chancery

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English chancerie, a reduced form of chancellerie. See chancellery. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈt͡ʃɑːnsəɹɪ/, /ˈt͡ʃænsəɹɪ/ (UK) IPA(key): /ˈt͡ʃɑːnsəɹi/, /ˈt͡ʃansəɹi/ === Noun === chancery (countable and uncountable, plural chanceries) (historical) In England, formerly, the highest court of judicature next to the Parliament, exercising jurisdiction at law, but chiefly in equity; but under the jurisdiction act of 1873 it became the chancery division of the High Court of Justice, and now exercises jurisdiction only in equity (US, law) A court of equity; equity; a proceeding in equity. Synonym: chancery court The type of building that houses a diplomatic mission or embassy. The type of building that houses the offices and administration of a diocese; the offices of a diocese. (historical) In the Middle Ages, a government office that produced and notarized official documents. (boxing, slang) The position of a boxer's head when under his adversary's arm. (slang, archaic) Any awkward predicament. (writing) Ellipsis of chancery hand. ==== Usage notes ==== A court of chancery, so far as it is a court of equity, in the English and American sense, may be generally, if not precisely, described as one having jurisdiction in cases of rights, recognized and protected by the municipal or county jurisprudence, where a plain, adequate, and complete remedy can not be had in the courts of common law. In some of the American States, jurisdiction at law and in equity centers in the same tribunal. The courts of the United States also have jurisdiction both at law and in equity, and in all such cases they exercise their jurisdiction, as courts of law, or as courts of equity, as the subject of adjudication may require. In others of the American States, the courts that administer equity are distinct tribunals, having their appropriate judicial officers, and it is to the latter that the appellation courts of chancery is usually applied; but, in American law, the terms equity and court of equity are more frequently employed than the corresponding terms chancery and court of chancery. ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === chancery (not comparable) (boxing) With the head of an antagonist under one's arm, so that one can pommel it with the other fist at will. (figurative) In an awkward situation; wholly under the power of someone else. ==== Synonyms ==== in chancery === See also === Inns of Chancery === References ===