baptistery, baptistry
(ˈbæptɪstərɪ, ˈbæptɪstrɪ)
Also 5 bapetystore, baptyzatorye, 7 baptistory.
[a. OF. baptisterie, mod. baptistère, ad. L. baptistērium, a. Gr. βαπτιστήριον bathing-place, baptistery, f. βαπτίζειν to baptize. Baptizatorye represented a med.L. modification, baptizātōrium.]
1. That part of a church (or, in early times, a separate building contiguous to the church), in which the rite of baptism is administered.
| 1460 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 138 The bapetystore there he founde. 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 19 He dyd do..compose baptyzatoryes & frentes convenably. 1579 Fulke Confut. Sanders 675 The image..painted in the Baptistery. 1636 Prynne Unbish. Tim. & Tit. (1661) 54 To enter into the Baptistory. 1840 Barham Ingol. Leg. 308 They've searched the aisles and Baptistry. 1849 Freeman Archit. 161 The round sepulchral chapel and the polygonal baptistery. |
2. In modern Baptist places of worship, a receptacle containing water for the baptismal rite.
| 1835 Penny Cycl. III. 416/1. 1853 Wayland Mem. Judson II. v. 187 Leading into the Maulmain baptistery the pious captain of the Ramsay. |
3. = baptism. (So OF. baptisterie, and med.L.)
| 1851 Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi 19 Having tried the tank Of the church-waters used for baptistry. |