1. A castle or a fortress in France.
2. A manor house or residence of the lord of the manor; a gentleman's country seat; also, particularly, a royal residence; as, the chateau of the Louvre; the chateau of the Luxembourg.
Note: The distinctive, French term for a fortified caste of the middle ages is château-fort. Chateau en Espagne ( Etym: [F.], a castle in Spain, that is, a castle in the air, Spain being the region of romance.
CHATELAINE Chat"e*laine, n. Etym: [F. châtelaine the wife of a castellan, the mistress of a chateau, a chatelaine chain.]
Defn: An ornamental hook, or brooch worn by a lady at her waist, and having a short chain or chains attached for a watch, keys, trinkets, etc. Also used adjectively; as, a chatelaine chain.
CHATELET
Chat"e*let, n. Etym: [F. châtelet, dim. of château. See Castle.]
Defn: A little castle.
CHATELLANY
Chat"el*la*ny, n. Etym: [F. châtellenie.]
Defn: Same as Castellany.
CHATI
Cha`ti", n. Etym: [Cf. F. chat cat.] (Zoöl.)