a singer of a choir in a cathedral. The word is almost grown obsolete, chorister or singing-man being commonly used instead of it. All great chapters have chantors and chaplains to assist the canons, and officiate in their absence.

CHANTOR is used by way of excellence for the precentor or master of the choir, which is one of the first dignities of the chapter. At St David's in Wales, where there is no dean, he is next in dignity to the bishop. The ancients called the chantor primicerius cantorum. To him belonged the direction of the deacons and other inferior officers.

Chantors in the temple of Jerusalem, were a number of Levites employed in singing the praises of God, and playing upon instruments before his altar. They had no habits distinct from the rest of the people; yet in the ceremony of removing the ark to Solomon's temple, the chantors appeared dressed in tunics of byssus or fine linen. 2 Chron. v. 12.

CHAUNTRY, or CHANTRY, was anciently a church or chapel endowed with lands, or other yearly revenue, for the maintenance of one or more priests, daily saying or singing mass for the souls of the donors, and such others as they appointed. Hence chauntry-rents are rents paid to the crown by the tenants or purchasers of chauntry-lands.