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

If it dies within a month after these ceremonies, it was called a chrisom child.

From Works of John Bunyan — Volume 03 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

So, too, one fee was charged for interring a " great corse," another for a "chrisom child."

From The Elizabethan Parish in its Ecclesiastical and Financial Aspects by Ware, Sedley Lynch

In mediaeval times, the child was arrayed by the priest in a white robe which had been anointed with sacred oil, and called a chrismale, or a chrisom.

From Two Centuries of Costume in America, Volume 1 (1620-1820) by Earle, Alice Morse

The chrisom was a white baptismal robe with which, in mediæval times, a child, when christened, was enveloped.

From Curious Church Customs and Cognate Subjects by Andrews, William