Baptist

[bap-tist]

noun

a member of a Christian denomination that baptizes believers by immersion and that is usually Calvinistic in doctrine.

(lowercase) a person who baptizes.

adjective

Also Bap·tis·tic. of or relating to Baptists or their doctrines or practices.

Origin of Baptist

1150–1200; Middle English baptiste < Old French < Late Latin baptista < Greek baptistḗs, equivalent to bapt(ízein) to baptize + -istēs -ist

Related formsnon-Bap·tist, noun, adjectivepro-Bap·tist, adjective, nounpseu·do-Bap·tist, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for baptist

Contemporary Examples of baptist

Scott, who died Sunday at 49, could go from evoking a Baptist preacher to quoting Public Enemy.
Remembering ESPN’s Sly, Cocky, and Cool Anchor Stuart Scott
Stereo Williams
January 4, 2015
This was the young, telegenic, and popular Robby Gallaty of Brainerd Baptist (mega-)Church in Tennessee.
The Hateful Pastor All Too Happy to Be Left Behind When It Comes to Gays
Jay Michaelson
September 6, 2014
Of course, for the Baptist Convention, this was a matter of theology, not rationality.
Southern Baptist Convention: Trans People Don’t Exist
Jay Michaelson
June 12, 2014
She spends a lot of time at her Baptist church—Wednesday night Bible study and Sunday services.
One Breakdown Can Mean Losing Your Kid Forever
ProPublica
May 30, 2014
As for Deborah, there was certainly a puritanical strain in society, but she was a Baptist.
The Cross-Dressing Revolutionary: Alex Myers’ New Novel
Eric Herschthal
February 4, 2014

Historical Examples of baptist

The Baptist pulled off his hat, and apologized, on the ground of illness.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII)
John Greenleaf Whittier
The Seventh Day Baptist minister went so fur as to preach at him.
The Village Watch-Tower
(AKA Kate Douglas Riggs) Kate Douglas Wiggin
She immediately complied with Mr Baptist's request, and they all went into the cottage.
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens
Mr Baptist was the second, and jogged close after him, looking at no other object.
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens
He has long been a valued and honored member of the Baptist denomination.
Cleveland Past and Present
Maurice Joblin

British Dictionary definitions for baptist

Baptist

noun

a member of any of various Christian sects that affirm the necessity of baptism (usually of adults and by immersion) following a personal profession of the Christian faith

the Baptist See John the Baptist

adjective

denoting, relating to, or characteristic of any Christian sect that affirms the necessity of baptism following a personal profession of the Christian faith

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 baptist

c.1200, "one who baptizes;" see baptize + -ist. As "member of a Protestant sect that believes in adult baptism by immersion" (with capital B-), attested from 1654; their opponents called them anabaptists.