Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense baptizes, present participle baptizing, past tense, past participle baptizedregional note: in BRIT, also use baptise
verb [usually passive]
When someone is baptized, water is put on their heads or they are covered with water as a sign that their sins have been forgiven and that they have become a member of the Christian Church. Compare christen.
At this time she decided to become a Christian and was baptised. [beVERB-ed]
I think your mother was baptized a Catholic.
Synonyms: christen, cleanse, immerse, purify More Synonyms of baptize
More Synonyms of baptize
baptize in British English
or baptise (bæpˈtaɪz)
verb
1. Christianity
to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (a person) as part of the rite of baptism
2. (transitive)
to give a name to; christen
3. (transitive)
to cleanse; purify
Word origin
C13: from Late Latin baptīzāre, from Greek baptizein, from baptein to bathe, dip
baptize in American English
(bæpˈtaɪz; ˈbæptaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: bapˈtized or bapˈtizing
1.
to immerse (an individual) in water, or pour or sprinkle water over (the individual), as a symbol of admission into Christianity or a specific Christian church
2.
to subject to an initiation or an ordeal that purifies or cleanses
3.
to give a first name to as part of the baptismal ceremony; christen
verb intransitive
4.
to administer baptism
Derived forms
baptizer (bapˈtizer)
noun
Word origin
ME baptisen < OFr baptiser < LL(Ec) baptizare < Gr baptizein, to immerse, baptize, substituted for earlier baptein, to dip (used in post-classical Gr chiefly in sense “to dip in dye”) < IE base *gwēbh-, to dip, plunge > ON kvefja, to plunge
Examples of 'baptize' in a sentence
baptize
I decided to baptize Deborah Jane first, in the hope that perhaps someone would take the noisy infant out once her baptism was completed.
Secombe, Fred GOODBYE CURATE (2001)
Chinese translation of 'baptize'
baptize
(bæpˈtaɪz)
vt
给(給) ... 施行洗礼(禮) (gěi ... shīxíng xǐlǐ)
Nearby words of
baptize
bannister(s)
banquet
baptism
baptize
bar
bar code
bar none
1 (verb)
Definition
to immerse (a person) in water or sprinkle water on (him or her) as part of the rite of baptism
I think your mother was baptized a Catholic.
Synonyms
christen
cleanse
Confession cleanses the soul.
immerse
purify
Plants can filter and purify the air in your office.
besprinkle
2 (verb)
baptized into the Church of England
Synonyms
initiate
She was initiated as a member of the secret society.
admit
Journalists are rarely admitted to the region.
introduce
The Government has introduced a number of other money-saving ideas.
invest
He was invested as a paramount chief of a district tribe.
recruit
He had the forlorn job of trying to recruit soldiers.
enrol
I thought I'd enrol you with an art group at the school.
induct
Six new members have been inducted into the Cabinet.
indoctrinate
They have been completely indoctrinated.
instate
3 (verb)
Definition
to give a name to
He was baptized Douglas Warren Thompson.
Synonyms
name
My mother insisted on naming me Horace.
call
They called their daughter Mischa.
title
a new book titled `The Golden Thirteen'
dub
He dubbed it the most exciting film currently in cinemas.