Baptisteries

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Baptistery \Bap"tis*ter*y\,Baptistry \Bap"tis*try\, n.; pl.
     {Baptisteries}, {Baptistries}. [L. baptisterium, Gr.
     baptisth`rion: cf. F. baptist[`e]re.] (Arch.)
        (a) In early times, a separate building, usually
            polygonal, used for baptismal services. Small churches
            were often changed into baptisteries when larger


            churches were built near.
        (b) A part of a church containing a font and used for
            baptismal services.
            [1913 Webster]