Reservoirs of water used as swimming pools or fish ponds inside a Roman home, or in a public bath, where they were used for cooling plunges. In Medieval monastic communities, piscinae were used as fish ponds, when fish was a staple item of diet. Piscinae are also seen in Classicizing architecture, particularly in the 18th century. For basins having drains, used in Christian churches during the liturgy, use "piscinae (Christian fixtures)."
