\Bal"da*chin\, 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.]
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.
3. A portable canopy borne over shrines, etc., in procession.
   [Written also {baldachino}, {baldaquin}, etc.]