bapˈtīz, ÷babˈt-, ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
Etymology: Middle English baptizen, from Old French baptiser, from Late Latin baptizare, from Greek baptizein to dip, baptize, from baptein to dip; akin to Old Norse kafa to dive, swim under water, kvefja to quench
transitive verb
1.
a. : to dip or immerse in water or to pour or sprinkle water on as a rite of spiritual or moral purification or of initiation into a religious society : administer baptism to
baptize a child in the Episcopal Church
b. : to make a member of (a particular sect) by baptism
in San Antonio, he was baptized a Catholic — Green Peyton
2.
a. : to initiate or launch
both developments were baptized under last season's conditions of scanty snow — New York Times
b. : to purify or cleanse spiritually especially by a purging experience or ordeal
baptized with pain and rapture, tears and fire — Sidney Lanier
3. : to give a name to (as at baptism) : christen
I know you're not always called the name you're baptized by — Agatha Christie
he was baptized Samuel
intransitive verb
: to administer baptism