Definition

Proper noun 1. A major battle in the American Civil War (1863): A significant military engagement where Confederate forces, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, achieved a notable victory over the Union Army, commanded by General Joseph Hooker. 2. A village in northeastern Virginia: A small settlement located in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, which gave its name to the nearby battlefield.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the battle:
  • The tactics used at Chancellorsville are still studied in military academies.
  • Chancellorsville was a costly victory for the Confederacy.
• Referring to the location:
  • The museum is located near the historic village of Chancellorsville.
  • We drove through Chancellorsville on our way to Fredericksburg.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The term is primarily used in historical and military discussions about the American Civil War. It often implies the strategic circumstances, the key figures involved (Lee, Hooker, Stonewall Jackson), and the battle's consequences.
  • The flanking maneuver at Chancellorsville is considered a classic of military strategy.

Variants and Related Words

• Chancellorsville Campaign: Refers to the series of military maneuvers and the battle itself.
  • The Chancellorsville Campaign demonstrated Lee's audacity.

Synonyms

• Battle of Chancellorsville: The full, formal name for the military engagement.
  • The Battle of Chancellorsville took place in May 1863.

Related Phrases

• "a Chancellorsville": Used metaphorically to describe a surprising or tactically brilliant victory against odds (this is a rare, advanced literary usage).
  • The team's comeback was a political Chancellorsville, stunning the favored incumbent.

Noun

1. a major battle in the American Civil War (1863); the Confederates under Robert E. Lee defeated the Union forces under Joseph Hooker
2. a village in northeastern Virginia