baptize

[bap-tahyz, bap-tahyz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR baptize ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Related Words for baptize

immerse, christen, name, denominate, title, regenerate, dip, dub, purify, term, asperse, sprinkle, admit, call, entitle, cleanse, besprinkle

Examples from the Web for baptize

Historical Examples of baptize

I am most anxious to baptize my new Royalty in a glass of wine.
Diary And Notes Of Horace Templeton, Esq.
Charles James Lever
What right, said they, had a man to baptize who had been ordained in this irregular manner?
History of the Moravian Church
J. E. Hutton
It was the practice, then, in Origen's day, to baptize infants.
Bertha and Her Baptism
Nehemiah Adams
But how could he baptize the heathen child of heathen parents.
The Adventures of the Chevalier De La Salle and His Companions, in Their Explorations of the Prairies, Forests, Lakes, and Rivers, of the New World, and Their Interviews with the Savage Tribes, Two Hundred Years Ago
John S. C. Abbott
You must promise to marry us all, and then baptize the babies.'
My Antonia
Willa Cather

British Dictionary definitions for baptize

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 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.