baptize

[ bap-tahyz, bap-tahyz ]

/ bæpˈtaɪz, ˈbæp taɪz /

verb (used with object), bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing.

to immerse in water or sprinkle or pour water on in the Christian rite of baptism: They baptized the new baby.

to cleanse spiritually; initiate or dedicate by purifying.

to give a name to at baptism; christen.

verb (used without object), bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing.

to administer baptism.

Nearby words

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 forms

bap·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. 2019

Examples from the Web for baptised

She regularly attended the evangelical Citygate Church in Bournemouth and was baptised there.
British Mother ‘Poisoned’ To Death By Pot|The Telegraph|January 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Had Bloom and Stephen been baptised, and where and by whom, cleric or layman?
Ulysses|James Joyce
Then if he who is a common man can be baptised, why may not I who am a prince?
The Wizard|H. Rider Haggard
All who did not believe on Him, or were not baptised, would go to Hell, and burn for ever in a lake of fire.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Biblical Extracts|Robert Cooper
On one occasion no less than 130 Maoris were baptised by Williams at one time.
A History of the English Church in New Zealand|Henry Thomas Purchas

British Dictionary definitions for baptised

baptize

baptise

/ (bæpˈtaɪz) /

verb

Christianity to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (a person) as part of the rite of baptism

(tr) to give a name to; christen

(tr) to cleanse; purify

Word Origin for baptize

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

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.