Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Templar
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. ☞ 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.
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.]
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
. Tem′plar
,Adj.
Of or pertaining to a temple.
[R.]
Solitary, family, and
templar
devotion. Coleridge.
Webster 1828 Edition
Templar
TEM'PLAR
,Noun.
1.
A student of the law.2.
Templars, knights of the Temple, a religious military order, first established at Jerusalem in favor of pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The order originated with some persons who, in 1118, devoted themselves to the service of God, promising to live in perpetual chastity, obedience and poverty, after the manner of canons. In 1228, this order was confirmed in the council of Troyes,and subjected to a rule of discipline. It flourished, became immensely rich, and its members became so insolent and vicious, that the order was suppressed by the council of Vienne, in 1312.