Pl. châteaux. [Fr. château:—OF. chastel:—L. castellum CASTLE.] A castle; a large mansion or country house (cf. CASTLE sb. 3): used only in reference to France and other parts of the Continent. (Formerly in more general use.)
1789. H. Walpole, Remin., iv. 37. At a distance in view was a chateau of a considerable German nobleman.
1793. Cowper, To W. Hayley. Dear architect of fine chateaux in air.
1806. Gazetteer Scotl., 122. The mansion-house of Dalziel, attached to the old tower or chateau of the manor.
1847. Emerson, Repr. Men, Montaigne, Wks. (Bohn), I. 341. From a love of Montaigne, he had made a pilgrimage to his chateau.
1878. Morley, Diderot, I. 109. He was transferred from the dungeon to the château.
