\Tem"plar\, n. [OE. templere, F. templier, LL.
templarius. See {Temple} a church.]
1. One of a religious and military order first established at
   Jerusalem, in the early part of the 12th century, for the
   protection of pilgrims and of the Holy Sepulcher. These
   Knights Templars, or Knights of the Temple, were so named
   because they occupied an apartment of the palace of
   Bladwin II. in Jerusalem, near the Temple.
Note: The order was first limited in numbers, and its members
      were bound by vows of chastity and poverty. After the
      conquest of Palestine by the Saracens, the Templars
      spread over Europe, and, by reason of their reputation
      for valor and piety, they were enriched by numerous
      donations of money and lands. The extravagances and
      vices of the later Templars, however, finally led to
      the suppression of the order by the Council of Vienne
      in 1312.
2. A student of law, so called from having apartments in the
   Temple at London, the original buildings having belonged
   to the Knights Templars. See {Inner Temple}, and {Middle
   Temple}, under {Temple}. [Eng.]
3. One belonged to a certain order or degree among the
   Freemasons, called Knights Templars. Also, one of an order
   among temperance men, styled Good Templars.

\Tem"plar\, a.
Of or pertaining to a temple. [R.]
      Solitary, family, and templar devotion.  --Coleridge.