WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
can•cel•lus
(kan sel′əs),USA pronunciation n., pl. -cel•li (-sel′ī, -sel′ē).USA pronunciation [Archit.]
- Architecture(in an early Christian basilica) one of a row of bars separating the clergy and sometimes the choir from the congregation.
- Antiquity, Architecture(in an ancient Roman basilica) one of a row of bars separating the court personnel from the spectators.
- Antiquity, Architecture cancelli, a screen of such bars.
- Latin, equivalent. to canc(rī) grating (plural of cancer, apparently dissimilated form of carcer prison) + -ellus diminutive suffix
'cancellus' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):