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baptize

[bap-tahyz, bap-tahyz]
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verb (used with object), bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing.
  1. to immerse in water or sprinkle or pour water on in the Christian rite of baptism: They baptized the new baby.
  2. to cleanse spiritually; initiate or dedicate by purifying.
  3. to give a name to at baptism; christen.
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verb (used without object), bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing.
  1. to administer baptism.
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Also especially British, bap·tise.

Origin of baptize

1250–1300; Middle English < Late Latin baptizāre < Greek baptízein to immerse (bápt(ein) to bathe + -izein -ize)
Related formsbap·tiz·a·ble, adjectivebap·tize·ment, nounbap·tiz·er, nounre·bap·tize, verb, re·bap·tized, re·bap·tiz·ing.self-bap·tiz·er, nounun·bap·tized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for baptised

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He was baptised in the Ouse, and became a professed member of the Baptist congregation.

    Bunyan

    James Anthony Froude

  • She was very anxious to come out and be baptised, but her age was the difficulty.

    Things as They Are

    Amy Wilson-Carmichael

  • Or, having been baptised, should she not return home and live there as a Christian?

    Things as They Are

    Amy Wilson-Carmichael

  • Katherine, baptised January 11, 1560 (Atherington Register).

    Clare Avery

    Emily Sarah Holt

  • Item that he baptised her and gave her a new name and called her Caterine.

British Dictionary definitions for baptised

baptize

baptise

verb
  1. Christianity to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (a person) as part of the rite of baptism
  2. (tr) to give a name to; christen
  3. (tr) to cleanse; purify
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Word Origin

C13: from Late Latin baptīzāre, from Greek baptizein, from baptein to bathe, dip
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for baptised

baptize

v.

c.1300, from Old French batisier (11c.), from Latin baptizare, from Greek baptizein "to immerse, to dip in water," also used figuratively, e.g. "to be over one's head" (in debt, etc.), "to be soaked (in wine);" in Greek Christian usage, "baptize;" from baptein "to dip, steep, dye, color," from PIE root *gwabh- "to dip, sink." Christian baptism originally consisted in full immersion. Related: Baptized; baptizing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper