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 Wind., 19. Having tried the tank or the church-waters used for baptistry.
