n. [ LL. baldachinus, baldechinus, a canopy of rich silk carried over the host; fr. Bagdad, It. Baldacco, a city in Turkish Asia from whence these rich silks came: cf. It. baldacchino. Cf. Baudekin. ] 1. A rich brocade; baudekin. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) A structure in form of a canopy, sometimes supported by columns, and sometimes suspended from the roof or projecting from the wall; generally placed over an altar; as, the baldachin in St. Peter's. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Written also baldachino, baldaquin, etc. ] [ 1913 Webster ]