chrisom

American  

[kriz-uhm] / ˈkrɪz əm /

noun

1. chrism.

2. a white cloth or robe put on a person at baptism to signify innocence.

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chrisom British  

/ ˈkrɪzəm /

noun

1. Christianity a white robe put on an infant at baptism and formerly used as a burial shroud if the infant died soon afterwards

2. archaic an infant wearing such a robe

3. a variant spelling of chrism

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Etymology

Origin of chrisom

1400–50; late Middle English krysom, crysum, variant of chrism

Example Sentences

He died like a lamb, or, as men call it, like a chrisom child, quietly and without fear.'

From Bunyan by Froude, James Anthony

The old word chrisom for chrism, is an analogous change: the Italians have in like manner lengthened chrisma into cresima; the French have softened it into chrême.

From Notes and Queries, Number 46, September 14, 1850 by Various

For by the manner of their death, they dying so quietly, so like unto chrisom children, as they call it, they are hardened, and take courage to go on in their course.

From Life and Death of Mr. Badman by Bunyan, John

The chrisom, according to the usual explanation, was a white cloth placed upon the head of an infant at baptism, when the chrism, or sacred oil of the Romish Church, was used in that sacrament.

From Discovery of Witches The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster by Potts, Thomas, fl. 1612-1618

Bishop Jeremy Taylor mentions the phantasms that make a chrisom child to smile at death.

From Works of John Bunyan — Volume 03 by Bunyan, John