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evangelize

[ih-van-juh-lahyz]
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verb (used with object), e·van·ge·lized, e·van·ge·liz·ing.
  1. to preach the gospel to.
  2. to convert to Christianity.
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verb (used without object), e·van·ge·lized, e·van·ge·liz·ing.
  1. to preach the gospel; act as an evangelist.
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Also especially British, e·van·ge·lise.

Origin of evangelize

1350–1400; Middle English evangelisen < Late Latin evangelizāre < Late Greek euangelízein. See evangel1, -ize
Related formse·van·ge·li·za·tion, noune·van·ge·liz·er, nounun·e·van·ge·lized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for evangelise

Historical Examples

  • My business seems to be to evangelise,—to be a Presbyter at large.

    The Life of the Rev. George Whitefield, Volume I (of 2)

    Luke Tyerman

  • The way to root out the slave trade is to evangelise the slave trader.

    Topsy-Turvy Land

    Samuel M. Zwemer

  • And it is this virtue which God uses as His main witness, as His chief instrument, to evangelise the world.

  • It was in 1219 that St. Francis sent his disciples out to evangelise the world.

    The Rise of the Mediaeval Church

    Alexander Clarence Flick

  • Bernardino determined by God's help to evangelise his country, and to rescue souls from evil by the winning power of love.

    Pictures in Umbria

    Katharine S. (Katharine Sarah) Macquoid

British Dictionary definitions for evangelise

evangelize

evangelise

verb
  1. to preach the Christian gospel or a particular interpretation of it (to)
  2. (intr) to advocate a cause with the object of making converts
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Derived Formsevangelization or evangelisation, nounevangelizer or evangeliser, noun
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 evangelise

evangelize

v.

late 14c., from Old French evangeliser "to spread or preach the Gospel," and directly from Medieval Latin or Late Latin evangelizare, from Greek euangelizesthai (see evangelist). Related: Evangelized; evangelizing; evangelization.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper