BALDACHIN
Bal"da*chin, n. Etym: [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.]
2. (Arch.)
Defn: 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.
3. A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession. [Written also baldachino, baldaquin, etc.]
BALD EAGLE
Bald" ea"gle. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The white-headed eagle (Haliæetus leucocephalus) of America. The young, until several years old, lack the white feathers on the head.
Note: The bald eagle is represented in the coat of arms, and on the coins, of the United States.
BALDER
Bal"der, n. Etym: [Icel. Baldr, akin to E. bold.] (Scan. Myth.)
Defn: The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace; the son of Odin and Freya. [Written also Baldur.]