Exchequer \Ex*cheq"uer\, n. [OE. escheker, OF. eichekier, fr.
LL. scaccarium. See Checker, Chess, Check.]
1. One of the superior courts of law; -- so called from a
checkered cloth, which covers, or formerly covered, the
table. [Eng.]
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Note: The exchequer was a court of law and equity. In the
revenue department, it had jurisdiction over the
proprietary rights of the crown against subjects; in
the common law department, it administered justice in
personal actions between subject and subject. A person
proceeding against another in the revenue department
was said to exchequer him. The judges of this court
were one chief and four puisne barons, so styled. The
Court of Exchequer Chamber sat as court of error in
which the judgments of each of the superior courts of
common law, in England, were subject to revision by the
judges of the other two sitting collectively. Causes
involving difficult questions of law were sometimes
after argument, adjourned into this court from the
other courts, for debate before judgment in the court
below. Recent legislation in England (1880) has
abolished the Court of Exchequer and the Court of
Exchequer Chamber, as distinct tribunals, a single
board of judiciary, the High Court of Justice, being
established for the trial of all classes of civil
cases. --Wharton.
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2. The department of state having charge of the collection
and management of the royal revenue. [Eng.] Hence, the
treasury; and, colloquially, pecuniary possessions in
general; as, the company's exchequer is low.
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Barons of the exchequer. See under Baron.
Chancellor of the exchequer. See under Chancellor.
Exchequer bills or Exchequer bonds (Eng.), bills of
money, or promissory bills, issued from the exchequer by
authority of Parliament; a species of paper currency
emitted under the authority of the government, and bearing
interest.
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Chancellor \Chan"cel*lor\, n. [OE. canceler, chaunceler, F.
chancelier, LL. cancellarius chancellor, a director of
chancery, fr. L. cancelli lattices, crossbars, which
surrounded the seat of judgment. See Chancel.]
A judicial court of chancery, which in England and in the
United States is distinctively a court with equity
jurisdiction.
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Note: The chancellor was originally a chief scribe or
secretary under the Roman emperors, but afterward was
invested with judicial powers, and had superintendence
over the other officers of the empire. From the Roman
empire this office passed to the church, and every
bishop has his chancellor, the principal judge of his
consistory. In later times, in most countries of
Europe, the chancellor was a high officer of state,
keeper of the great seal of the kingdom, and having the
supervision of all charters, and like public
instruments of the crown, which were authenticated in
the most solemn manner. In France a secretary is in
some cases called a chancellor. In Scotland, the
appellation is given to the foreman of a jury, or
assize. In the present German empire, the chancellor is
the president of the federal council and the head of
the imperial administration. In the United States, the
title is given to certain judges of courts of chancery
or equity, established by the statutes of separate
States. --Blackstone. Wharton.
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Chancellor of a bishop or Chancellor of a diocese (R. C.
Ch. & ch. of Eng.), a law officer appointed to hold the
bishop's court in his diocese, and to assist him in matter
of ecclesiastical law.
Chancellor of a cathedral, one of the four chief
dignitaries of the cathedrals of the old foundation, and
an officer whose duties are chiefly educational, with
special reference to the cultivation of theology.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, an officer before
whom, or his deputy, the court of the duchy chamber of
Lancaster is held. This is a special jurisdiction.
Chancellor of a university, the chief officer of a
collegiate body. In Oxford, he is elected for life; in
Cambridge, for a term of years; and his office is
honorary, the chief duties of it devolving on the vice
chancellor.
Chancellor of the exchequer, a member of the British
cabinet upon whom devolves the charge of the public income
and expenditure as the highest finance minister of the
government.
Chancellor of the order of the Garter (or other military
orders), an officer who seals the commissions and mandates
of the chapter and assembly of the knights, keeps the
register of their proceedings, and delivers their acts
under the seal of their order.
Lord high chancellor of England, the presiding judge in the
court of chancery, the highest judicial officer of the
crown, and the first lay person of the state after the
blood royal. He is created chancellor by the delivery into
his custody of the great seal, of which he becomes keeper.
He is privy counselor by his office, and prolocutor of the
House of Lords by prescription.
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