The DICT Development Group

  Template \Tem"plate\, n.
     Same as Templet.
     [1913 Webster]

  Templet \Tem"plet\, n. [LL. templatus vaulted, from L. templum a
     small timber.] [Spelt also template.]
     1. A gauge, pattern, or mold, commonly a thin plate or board,
        used as a guide to the form of the work to be executed;
        as, a mason's or a wheelwright's templet.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Arch.) A short piece of timber, iron, or stone, placed in
        a wall under a girder or other beam, to distribute the
        weight or pressure.
        [1913 Webster]

  template
      n 1: a model or standard for making comparisons [syn:
           template, templet, guide]

  template
  
      A document that contains parameters, identified by some
     special syntax, that are replaced by actual arguments by the
     template processing system.  For example:
  
      Dear ,  would like to invite you
      to a party at  on  at .
  
     Where the words in angle brackets are the parameters to be
     replaced by the name of an actual guest, etc.
  
     More sophisticated systems allow repetition, where a section
     is repeated in a single output document using a list of
     inputs; conditional sections or (nested) inclusion of other
     templates.
  
     See also class template.
  
     (2007-10-14)