v.
Variant: also bap · tise
Pronunciation: bap- ' t ī z, ' bap- ˌ , esp Southern bab- or ' bab-
Function: verb
Inflected Form: bap · tized also bap · tised ; bap · tiz · ing also bap · tis · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French baptiser, from Late Latin baptizare, from Greek baptizein to dip, baptize, from baptein to dip, dye; akin to Old Norse kvefja to quench
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to administer baptism to
2 a : to purify or cleanse spiritually especially by a purging experience or ordeal b : INITIATE
3 : to give a name to (as at baptism) : CHRISTEN
intransitive verb : to administer baptism
– bap · tiz · er noun