Definition

Noun: A lady chapel is a small chapel within a larger church, traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is often located behind the main altar or in a side aisle.

Usage

The term "lady chapel" is used to specify a particular architectural and devotional feature in a Christian church building. It is a proper noun when referring to a specific chapel (e.g., "the Lady Chapel"), but can be used as a common noun more generally.

Examples

• The cathedral's most ornate stained glass is in its lady chapel.
• After the main service, a small group prayed in the Lady Chapel.
• Many medieval churches were built with a lady chapel.

Advanced Usage

• Historically, the lady chapel was often a site for private devotion and Marian feasts.
• In some large cathedrals, the lady chapel forms a distinct architectural unit at the eastern end of the building.

Variants and Related Words

• Chapel (n): A small area for Christian worship, either within a larger church or as a separate building.
• Chantry chapel (n): A chapel endowed for priests to say masses for the soul of the founder.

Synonyms

• Marian chapel
• Chapel of Our Lady

Notes on Meaning

The term refers specifically to a chapel dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Its prominence and size vary greatly from one church to another. It is a feature more commonly found in cathedrals and large parish churches, particularly from the Gothic period onward.

Noun

1. a small chapel in a church; dedicated to the Virgin Mary