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baptize
(bap tīz′, bap′tīz)
transitive verb baptized, baptizing
- to immerse (an individual) in water, or pour or sprinkle water over (the individual), as a symbol of admission into Christianity or a specific Christian church
- to subject to an initiation or an ordeal that purifies or cleanses
- to give a first name to as part of the baptismal ceremony; christen
Origin: ME baptisen < OFr baptiser < LL(Ec) baptizare < Gr baptizein, to immerse, baptize, substituted for earlier baptein, to dip (used in post-classical Gr chiefly in sense “to dip in dye”) < IE base *gwēbh-, to dip, plunge > ON kvefja, to plunge
intransitive verb
to administer baptism
Related Forms:
- baptizer noun
See baptize in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es verb, transitive
- To admit into Christianity by means of baptism.
- a. To cleanse or purify.b. To initiate.
- To give a first or Christian name to; christen.
To administer baptism.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English baptizen
Origin: , from Old French baptiser
Origin: , from Late Latin baptīzāre
Origin: , from Greek baptizein
Origin: , from baptein, to dip
.Related Forms:
- bap·tizˈer noun
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