piscina, piscina, piscine

(Lat.=a tish-pond, a cistern; piscis a fish.] *1. Rom. Antiq .: A large water-basin in an open, public place, in which the youths of Rome learned to swim. 2. Eccles . Architect .: The stone basin used in the Catholic church-service to receive the water after it has been used by the priest in washing the chalice subsequent to the celebration of ma . The piscina is supplied with a drain-pipe to carry the water out of the church, and is usually constructed in the wall, close beside the high altar, near the sedilia. It takes the form of a canopied niche, and is generally richly decorated with foliage and emblematic carving. The outer apertures of the drain-pipe sometimes take the form of gargoyles. ( Fairholt .) Piscina.