baptize
[bap-tahyz, bap-tahyz]
- 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.
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- 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)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
immersechristennamedenominatetitleregeneratedipdubpurifytermaspersesprinkleadmitcallentitlecleansebesprinkleExamples from the Web for baptize
Historical Examples
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 ChurchJ. E. Hutton
It was the practice, then, in Origen's day, to baptize infants.
Bertha and Her BaptismNehemiah Adams
But how could he baptize the heathen child of heathen parents.
You must promise to marry us all, and then baptize the babies.'
My AntoniaWilla Cather
baptize
baptise
- 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
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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
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Word Origin and History for 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