Templar

n. [Fr. & Pr. Templier, Sp. & Pg. Templario, It. Tempiere.] 1. One of a religious military order, first established at Jerusalem to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land, and called the Order of the Templars, or Knights of the Temple, because they occupied an apartment of the palace of Baldwin II., in Jerusalem, near the Temple. ☞ 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 was suppressed by the council of Vienne, in 1312. 2. A student of law, so called from having apartments in the Temple at London, which originally belonged to the Knights Templars, See TEMPLE, 5.