CHANDELIERS, in military affairs, a kind of moveable parapet, consisting of wooden frames, on which fascines are laid to cover the workmen when at work on the trenches. They are made of various sorts and sizes, according to the use they are for. CHANTIER, _Fr._ a square piece of wood, which is used for the purpose of raising any thing. It serves to place barrels of gunpowder in a proper manner, and frequently to try pieces of ordnance instead of frames. CHAPE, the metalline part put on the end of a scabbard, to prevent the point of the sword or bayonet from piercing through it. CHAPELET, _Fr._ a piece of flat iron with three tenons or ends of timber, which is fixed to the end of a cannon. CHAPITEAU, _Fr._ two small boards which are joined together obliquely, and serve to cover the touch-hole of a piece of ordnance. CHAPPE, _Fr._ a barrel containing another barrel, which holds gunpowder. It likewise means a composition of earth, horse dung, and wad, that covers the mouth of a cannon, or mortar. CHARACTER, in a general sense, implies any mark used for representing either ideas, or objects. _Military_ CHARACTERS, _Mathematical_ CHARACTERS, are certain marks invented for avoiding prolixity, and more clearly conveying the thoughts of the learned in those sciences to beginners; the chief of which are as follow: + in algebra is the sign of the real existence of the quality it stands before, and is called an affirmative, or positive sign. It is also the mark of addition, and signifies, that the numbers, or quantities on each side of it are added together. - This is the note of negation, negative existence, or non-entity. It is the sign of subtraction, and signifies, that the numbers, or quantities which come after it, are to be taken from the numbers, or quantities which stand before it. As + signifies a _positive_ or _affirmative_ quantity, or _absolute_ number, so - signifies a _fictitious_ or _negative_ number or quantity. Thus -3, is 8 times less than nothing. So that any number or quantity with the sign + being added to the same number, or quantity with the sign -, their sum will be equal to nothing. Thus 8 added to -8 is equal to 0, but -8 taken from + 8, is equal to 16. × is the sign of multiplication. It signifies _into_, or _multiplied by_. ÷ is the mark of division, and signifies, that the numbers, or quantities before it are to be divided by the numbers after it. = are the signs of equality, and signify, that the quantities and numbers on the one side of it are equal to the quantities and numbers on the other. √ is the sign of radicality, and shews (according to the index of the power that is set over or after it) the square, cube, or other root, that is extracted, or is to be so, out of any quantity. ∛ is the sign of the cube root, and signifies the extraction of it, as in the square root above. ∺ is the sign of continued, or geometrical proportion.