(Cathedra), was anciently used for the pulpit, or sedileum, whence the priest spoke to the people. See Pulpit, and Cathedra.

It is still applied to the place whence professors and regents in universities deliver their lectures, and teach the sciences to their pupils; thus we say, the professor's chair, the doctor's chair, &c.

Curule Chair. See Curule.

Chair is also applied by the Romans to certain seats, held anciently in commemoration of the translation of the see or seat of the vicarage of Christ by St Peter.

The perforated chair, wherein the new-elected pope is placed, F. Mabillon observes, is still to be seen at Rome: but the origin thereof he does not attribute, as is commonly done, to the adventure of pope Joan; but says there is a mystery in it; and it is intended, forsooth, to explain to the pope those words of scripture, that God draws the poor from out of the dust and wire.

Marine Chair. See Marine Chair.