baptize

(bap tīz, baptīz)

transitive verb baptized, baptizing

  1. 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
  2. to subject to an initiation or an ordeal that purifies or cleanses
  3. 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:

See baptize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es
verb, transitive
  1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism.
  2. a. To cleanse or purify.
    b. To initiate.
  3. To give a first or Christian name to; christen.
verb, intransitive
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

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Related Forms:

  • bap·tizˈer noun

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