Chancery /(?)/

Chan·cer·y

Chancery

n.
  1. In England, formerly, the highest court of judicature next to the Parliament, exercising jurisdiction at law, but chiefly in equity; but under the jurisdiction act of 1873 it became the chancery division of the High Court of Justice, and now exercises jurisdiction only in equity.
  2. In the Unites States, a court of equity; equity; proceeding in equity.

Phrases & Compounds
Inns of chancery
See under Inn.
To get ([or] to hold) In chancery
to get the head of an antagonist under one's arm, so that one can pommel it with the other fist at will; hence, to have wholly in One's power. The allusion is to the condition of a person involved in the chancery court, where he was helpless, while the lawyers lived upon his estate.