an ancient ornament for the head, like a garland or wreath: but this word is frequently used to signify the circle of a crown. There are instances of its being borne in a coat of arms, as well as for crests; the paternal arms for Lascelles are argent, three chaplets, gules.

Chaplets also denotes a string of beads used by the Roman Catholics, to count the number of their prayers. The invention of it is ascribed to Peter the hermit, who probably learned it of the Turks, as they owe it to the East Indians.

Chaplets are sometimes called paternosters; and are made of coral, of diamonds, of wood, &c. The common chaplet contains 50 ave-marias, and five paternosters. There is also a chaplet of our Saviour, consisting of 33 beads, in honour of his 33 years living on the earth, instituted by Father Michael the Camaldulian.

The Orientals have a kind of chaplets which they call chains, and which they use in their prayers, rehearsing one of the perfections of God on each link or bead. The Great Mogul is said to have 18 of these chains, all precious stones; some diamonds, others rubies, pearls, &c. The Turks have likewise chaplets, which they bear in the hand, or hang at the girdle; but Father Dandini observes, they differ from those used by the Romanists, in that they are all of the same bigness, and have not that distinction into decades, though they consist of six decades, or 60 beads. He adds, that the Mussulmans run over the chaplet almost in an instant, the prayers being extremely short, as containing only these words, "praise to God," or "glory to God," for each bead. Besides the common chaplet they have likewise a larger one consisting of 100 beads, where there is some distinction, as being being divided by little threads into three parts; on one of which they repeat 30 times "subhan Allah," i.e., "God is worthy to be praised;" on another, "ellahm Allah," "Glory be to God:" and on the third, "Allah akbar," "God is great." These thrice thirty times making only 90; to complete the number 100, they add other prayers for the beginning of the chaplet.—He adds, that the Mahometan chaplet appears to have had its rise from the mea beracoth, or "hundred benedictions," which the Jews are obliged to repeat daily, and which we find in their prayer books; the Jews and Mahometans having this in common, that they scarce do any thing without pronouncing some land or benediction.

Menage derives the word chaplet from chapeau, "hat." The modern Latins call it chapellina, the Italians more frequently corona.

Chapelet, in Architecture, a little moulding, cut or carved into round beads, pearls, olives, or the like.