piscina

[ pi-sahy-nuh, pi-see- ]

/ pɪˈsaɪ nə, pɪˈsi- /

a basin with a drain used for certain ablutions, now generally in the sacristy.

Origin of piscina

1590–1600; < Medieval Latin, special use of Latin piscīna a fish pond, swimming pool, equivalent to pisc(is) fish + -īna, feminine of -īnus -ine¹

A complete private bath must contain the piscina, or plunge.

The Turkish Bath |Robert Owen Allsop
The sanctuary contains a sedile and piscina, and a stoup and a rougher piscina will be found in the nave.

Somerset |G.W. Wade and J.H. Wade
The altar, where a weekly requiem had been said for them, was gone, and the footpace and piscina alone showed where it had stood.

By What Authority? |Robert Hugh Benson
On the north wall is a third, and in the south wall a piscina with two-cusped arch and projecting basin.

Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Ripon |Cecil Walter Charles Hallett

Here is a lavatory, and a piscina at the east end marks the site of a former altar.

The Cathedrals of Great Britain |P. H. Ditchfield

piscina

/ (pɪˈsiːnə) /

RC Church a stone basin, with a drain, in a church or sacristy where water used at Mass is poured away

piscinal (ˈpɪsɪnəl), adjective

C16: from Latin: fish pond, from piscis a fish