Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A part of a church or a separate building used for baptizing.
- n. A font used for baptism.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A building or a portion of a building in which is administered the rite of baptism. In the early Christian church the baptistery was distinct from the church-building, and was situated near its west end; it was generally circular or octagonal in form, and dome-roofed. About the end of the sixth century the baptistery began to be absorbed in the church, within which the font was placed, not far from the western door. The detached baptistery was, however, often preserved, especially in Italy; and many such baptisteries still remain in use, as that of St. John Lateran in Rome, and those of the cathedrals of Pisa, Florence, etc. As a separate building the baptistery was often of considerable size and great architectural beauty; that of Florence is 108 feet in external diameter. In the West, baptisteries were in early times commonly dedicated to St. John the Baptist. See
font and baptismal.
Wiktionary
- n. alternative spelling of baptistry.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. 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.
- n. A part of a church containing a font and used for baptismal services.
WordNet 3.0
- n. bowl for baptismal water
Etymologies
- Middle English baptisterie, from Old French, from Late Latin baptistērium, from Greek baptistērion, from baptizein, to baptize; see baptize. (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)
Examples
“The baptistery is a beautiful fount of carved stone.”
“The name baptistery is also given to a kind of chapel in a large church, which serves the same purpose.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3 "Banks" to "Bassoon"
“Church; for Baptism is given in a place called the baptistery, railed off from the church and near the door, because formerly the ceremony up to this point was performed outside the church, and at this part of the ceremony the person was led in to be baptized.”
Baltimore Catechism No. 4 (of 4) An Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism of Christian Doctrine
“In the baptistery is a beautiful font with a bronze cover by Tiziano Minio, Desiderio da Firenze, and Francesco”
“Recesses round the walls of the mausoleum-church contained sarcophagi: in the centre of the baptistery was the great font.”
“The lavatory tower is now more commonly called the baptistery, but this name gives a false impression, and only came into use because the building now contains a font, given to the cathedral by Bishop Warner.”
“The bells hang in the belfry, the south-west tower, and the north-west tower is still called the baptistery, because baptisms used to take place there.”
“At the end of the oval court is a dome of rich and picturesque construction, called the baptistery of Louis XIII, because that king was baptized there.”
“From the 4th century to the 8th century: baptism by partial immersion in a "baptistery" began, used with a pouring of water.”
“The extension to the cathedral is being described as a narthex; it is, however, a large, three-story octagonal structure vaguely reminiscent of a baptistery and will include a basement crypt for the burial of archbishops and a top-story performance space seating 100 people; in between will be a gathering space for worshippers before and after mass.”
Two Unfortunate and Unnecessary Cathedral Extensions in Australia
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘baptistery’.
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phrontistery - b
List of words from phrontistery.info
babeldom, baccate, bacchanal, bacciferous, bacciform, baccivorous, bacillicide, backstay, bactericide, baculiform, baculine, baculum and 582 more...
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