piscina

[ pi-sahy-nuh, pi-see- ]

/ pɪˈsaɪ nə, pɪˈsi- /

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noun, plural pis·ci·nae

[pi-sahy-nee, pi-see-]. /pɪˈsaɪ ni, pɪˈsi-/. Ecclesiastical.

a basin with a drain used for certain ablutions, now generally in the sacristy.

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Origin of piscina

1590–1600; <Medieval Latin, special use of Latin piscīna a fish pond, swimming pool, equivalent to pisc(is) fish + -īna, feminine of -īnus-ine¹

Words nearby piscina

Piscean, Pisces, pisci-, pisciculture, pisciform, piscina, piscine, Piscis Austrinus, piscivorous, pisco, pisé

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use piscina in a sentence

Hawkers account (on p. 11) of the discovery of the piscina in the chancel wall at Morwenstow is, however, very circumstantial.
Footprints of Former Men in Far Cornwall|Robert S. Hawker
Mr. Baring-Gould evidently uses the word piscina as meaning the whole recess beside the altar.
Footprints of Former Men in Far Cornwall|Robert S. Hawker
This he supposed was a piscina drain, and accordingly set it up in the recess beside his altar.
Footprints of Former Men in Far Cornwall|Robert S. Hawker
On the approach to this promontory lies the Piscina Mirabilis, one of the most striking remains of Roman building.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. II (of 3)|George Eliot

The chancel contains a piscina and a circular font, dating from the middle of the seventeenth century.
Warwickshire|Clive Holland

British Dictionary definitions for piscina

piscina

/ (pɪˈsiːnə) /

noun plural -nae (-niː) or -nas

RC Church a stone basin, with a drain, in a church or sacristy where water used at Mass is poured away

Derived forms of piscina

piscinal (ˈpɪsɪnəl), adjective

Word Origin for piscina

C16: from Latin: fish pond, from piscis a fish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012