{ 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.