I. christen adjective or noun
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: Middle English cristen, from Old English
obsolete : christian
II. chris·ten ˈkris ə n verb
( christened ; christened ; christening -s( ə )niŋ ; christens )
Etymology: Middle English cristnen, cristen, from Old English cristnian, from cristen Christian, from Latin christianus
transitive verb
1. obsolete : christianize
2.
a. : to receive or initiate into a Christian church by the rite of baptism : baptize
b. : to name at baptism
3. obsolete : to stand sponsor to (a child) at baptism
4. : to name or dedicate in naming (as a ship) by a ceremony suggestive of baptism
5. : to give a name to : name , denominate
the latter hill they christened Mount Joy — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
6. : to use for the first time especially with a sense of the formality of the occasion
christen a new car by taking a Sunday drive
intransitive verb
: to administer baptism