Templar \Tem"plar\, n. [OE. templere, F. templier, LL.
templarius. See Temple a church.]
1. One of a religious and military order first established at
Jerusalem, in the early part of the 12th century, for the
protection of pilgrims and of the Holy Sepulcher. These
Knights Templars, or Knights of the Temple, were so named
because they occupied an apartment of the palace of
Bladwin II. in Jerusalem, near the Temple.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The order was first limited in numbers, and its members
were bound by vows of chastity and poverty. After the
conquest of Palestine by the Saracens, the Templars
spread over Europe, and, by reason of their reputation
for valor and piety, they were enriched by numerous
donations of money and lands. The extravagances and
vices of the later Templars, however, finally led to
the suppression of the order by the Council of Vienne
in 1312.
[1913 Webster]
2. A student of law, so called from having apartments in the
Temple at London, the original buildings having belonged
to the Knights Templars. See Inner Temple, and Middle
Temple, under Temple. [Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
3. One belonged to a certain order or degree among the
Freemasons, called Knights Templars. Also, one of an order
among temperance men, styled Good Templars.
[1913 Webster]
|