baptize

[bap-tahyz, bap-tahyz]

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.

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for baptised

Contemporary Examples of 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

Historical Examples of baptised

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.
The Witch-cult in Western Europe
Margaret Alice Murray

British Dictionary definitions for baptised

baptize

baptise

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.