Word Study
baptistery
CIDE DICTIONARY
baptistery, n. [L. baptisterium, Gr. baptisth`rion: cf. F. baptistère.].
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. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
baptistery, n. (also baptistry) (pl. -ies)
1 a the part of a church used for baptism. b hist. a building next to a church, used for baptism.
2 (in a Baptist chapel) a sunken receptacle used for total immersion.
1 a the part of a church used for baptism. b hist. a building next to a church, used for baptism.
2 (in a Baptist chapel) a sunken receptacle used for total immersion.
Etymology
ME f. OF baptisterie f. eccl.L baptisterium f. eccl.Gk baptisterion bathing-place f. baptizo BAPTIZE
THESAURUS
baptistery
Easter sepulcher, affusion, ambry, apse, aspergation, aspersion, baptism, baptismal gown, baptismal regeneration, baptizement, blindstory, chancel, choir, chrismal, christening, cloisters, confessional, confessionary, crypt, diaconicon, diaconicum, font, immersion, infusion, nave, porch, presbytery, rood loft, rood stair, rood tower, sacrarium, sacristy, sprinkling, total immersion, transept, triforium, vestryROGET THESAURUS
baptistery
Temple
N temple, place of worship, house of God, house of prayer, temple, cathedral, minster, church, kirk, chapel, meetinghouse, bethel, tabernacle, conventicle, basilica, fane, holy place, chantry, oratory, synagogue, mosque, marabout, pantheon, pagoda, joss house, dogobah, tope, kiosk, kiack, masjid, parsonage, rectory, vicarage, manse, deanery, glebe, Vatican, bishop's palace, Lambeth, altar, shrine, sanctuary, Holy of Holies, sanctum sanctorum, sacristy, sacrarium, communion table, holy table, Lord's table, table of the Lord, pyx, baptistery, font, piscina, stoup, aumbry, sedile, reredos, rood loft, rood screen, chancel, quire, choir, nave, aisle, transept, vestry, crypt, golgotha, calvary, Easter sepulcher, stall, pew, pulpit, ambo, lectern, reading desk, confessional, prothesis, credence, baldachin, baldacchino, apse, belfry, chapter house, presbytery, anxious-bench, anxious-seat, diaconicum, jube, mourner's bench, mourner's seat, cloisters, churchyard, monastery, priory, abbey, friary, convent, nunnery, cloister, claustral, cloistered, monastic, monasterial, conventual, ne vile fano, there's nothing ill can dwell in such a temple.For further exploring for "baptistery" in Webster Dictionary Online