BANYAN
Ban"yan, n. Etym: [See Banian.] (Bot.)
Defn: A tree of the same genus as the common fig, and called the Indian fig (Ficus Indica), whose branches send shoots to the ground, which take root and become additional trunks, until it may be the tree covers some acres of ground and is able to shelter thousands of men.
BANZAI
Ban"zai", interj. [Jap. banzai, banzei, ten thousand years, forever.]
Defn: Lit., May you live ten thousand years; — used in salutation of the emperor and as a battle cry. [Japan]
BAOBAB
Ba"o*bab, n. Etym: [The native name.] (Bot.)
Defn: A gigantic African tree (Adansonia digitata), also naturalized in India. See Adansonia.
BAPHOMET Baph"o*met, n.Etym: [A corruption of Mahomet or Mohammed, the Arabian prophet: cf. Pr. Bafomet, OSp. Mafomat, OPg. Mafameda.]
Defn: An idol or symbolical figure which the Templars were accused of using in their mysterious rites.
BAPTISM Bap"tism, n. Etym: [OE. baptim, baptem, OE. baptesme, batisme, F. baptême, L. baptisma, fr. Gr. , fr. to baptize, fr. to dip in water, akin to deep, Skr. gah to dip, bathe, v. i.]
Defn: The act of baptizing; the application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is performed by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.