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christen
To christen is to baptize into a Christian church, or to use something for the first time.
(verb)- When you have a formal Christian ceremony where a baby is dressed up in a long white dress and given a formal name, this is an example of when you christen the baby.
- When you use your new fireplace for the first time, this is an example of when you christen the fireplace.
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See christen in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb
- to take into a Christian church by baptism; baptize
- to give a name to at baptism
- to give a name to (a ship being launched, etc.)
- Informal to make use of for the first time
Origin: ME cristnen < OE cristnian: see Christian
See christen in American Heritage Dictionary 4
transitive verb chris·tened, chris·ten·ing, chris·tens
- a. To baptize into a Christian church.b. To give a name to at baptism.
- a. To name: christened the kitten “Snowball.”b. To name and dedicate ceremonially: christen a ship.
- To use for the first time: christened the new car by going for a drive.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English cristnen
Origin: , from Old English cristnian
Origin: , from cristen, Christian; see Christian
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