Bantling
(Bant"ling) n. [Prob. for bandling, from band, and meaning a child wrapped in swaddling
bands; or cf. G. bäntling a bastard, fr. bank bench. Cf. Bastard, n.] A young or small child; an infant.
[Slightly contemptuous or depreciatory.]
In what out of the way corners genius produces her bantlings.
W. Irving.
Banxring
(Banx"ring) n. (Zoöl.) An East Indian insectivorous mammal of the genus Tupaia.
Banyan
(Ban"yan) n. [See Banian.] (Bot.) A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called
the Indian fig whose branches send shoots to the ground, which take root and become additional trunks,
until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is able to shelter thousands of men.
Baobab
(Ba"o*bab) n. [The native name.] (Bot.) A gigantic African tree also naturalized in India. See
Adansonia.
Baphomet
(Baph"o*met) n. [A corruption of Mahomet or Mohammed, the Arabian prophet: cf. Pr. Bafomet,
OSp. Mafomat, OPg. Mafameda.] An idol or symbolical figure which the Templars were accused of
using in their mysterious rites.
Baptism
(Bap"tism) n. [OE. baptim, baptem, OE. baptesme, batisme, F. baptême, L. baptisma, fr.
Gr. , fr. to baptize, fr. to dip in water, akin to deep, Skr. gah to dip, bathe, v. i.] The act of baptizing; the
application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the
visible church of Christ. This is performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.
Baptismal
(Bap*tis"mal) a. [Cf. F. baptismal.] Pertaining to baptism; as, baptismal vows.
Baptismal name, the Christian name, which is given at baptism.
Baptismally
(Bap*tis"mal*ly), adv. In a baptismal manner.
Baptist
(Bap"tist) n. [L. baptista, G. ]
1. One who administers baptism; — specifically applied to John, the forerunner of Christ. Milton.
2. One of a denomination of Christians who deny the validity of infant baptism and of sprinkling, and
maintain that baptism should be administered to believers alone, and should be by immersion. See
Anabaptist.
In doctrine the Baptists of this country [the United States] are Calvinistic, but with much freedom and
moderation. Amer. Cyc.
Freewill Baptists, a sect of Baptists who are Arminian in doctrine, and practice open communion. —
Seventh- day Baptists, a sect of Baptists who keep the seventh day of the week, or Saturday, as the
Sabbath. See Sabbatarian. The Dunkers and Campbellites are also Baptists.
Baptistery
(Bap"tis*ter*y Bap"tis*try) n.; pl. Baptisteries -tries [L. baptisterium, Gr. : cf. F. baptistère.]
(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.
Baptistic
(Bap*tis"tic) a. ]—> Of or for baptism; baptismal.
Baptistical
(Bap*tis"tic*al) a. Baptistic. [R.]
Baptizable
(Bap*tiz"a*ble) a. Capable of being baptized; fit to be baptized. Baxter.
