▪ I. baptize, v.
(bæpˈtaɪz)
Forms: 3–4 baptis, 4 -iz, 4–5 baptyse, 6 baptyze, 3–9 baptise, 3– baptize. Obs. pa. pple. 3–6 baptist(e, 4 -este.
[a. F. baptise-r, -izer (11th c.), ad. L. baptīzā-re, ad. Gr. βαπτίζειν ‘to immerse, bathe, wash, drench,’ in Christian use appropriated to the religious rite, f. βάπτειν to dip, plunge, bathe.]
1. trans. To immerse in water, or pour or sprinkle water upon, as a means of ceremonial purification, or in token of initiation into a religious society, especially into the Christian Church; to christen.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 86 He was ybaptized þere. a 1300 Cursor M. 12654 Þe time þat he on cristen lai suld baptist be. Ibid. 12897 Selcut was to thinc..Þe clerc to baptis þe prist. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. iv. (1520) 28/2 Oure lorde Jhesu cryst at 30 yere of age was baptysed. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. 105 The very worde of Baptizing signifieth to dippe. 1667 Milton P.L. xii. 442 Them who shall beleeve, Baptizing in the profluent streame. 1833 Cruse Eusebius vi. xliii. 266 Baptised by aspersion. |
b. absol. To administer the rite of baptism.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. A. 817 Þer as baptysed þe goude saynt Ion. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals i. iii. 68 The Bishop Ordains, the Priest Baptizes. |
2. fig. (in various shades of meaning, in reference to initiation, spiritual agency, etc.) Cf. baptism 2.
| 1382 Wyclif Acts i. 5 Ȝe schulen be baptysid in the Hooly Gost. 1651 C. Cartwright Cert. Relig. ii. 62 Is not God able to baptize Infants with his Spirit? 1655 Baxter Quakers' Catech. 23 You would have us baptize our Bels to make them spirituall. 1858 O. W. Holmes Aut. Breakf. T. xi, Sorrow had baptised her. 1861 Emma Toke Innoc. Day in Hymns A. & M. No. 54, Baptized in their own blood. 1865 Cornh. Mag. Oct. 451 A view which every day baptizes into fresh beauty. |
3. With allusion to an important part of the ceremony of baptizing or christening infants or heathens: To give a name to, name, denominate.
| [c 1450 Merlin v. 91 Antor made the childe to be baptised, and cleped hym Arthur.] 1549 Compl. Scot. 4 Historiagrephours hes baptist hym to be ane of the principal of al the nyne noblis. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. ii. 50 Ile be new baptiz'd; Hence foorth I neuer will be Romeo. 1604 T. Wright Passions Pref., This..honestie, other Nations baptize with the Name of Simplicitie. 1838 J. Grant Sk. in Lond. (1860) 306 Chalk-and-water, which, for the purpose of sale, was baptised milk. |
▪ II. † bapˈtize, -ise, -is, n. Obs. rare.
[f. prec. vb.]
Baptism.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 12754 In water baptised he al þaa þat com til him baptis [v.r. baptize] to ta. 1460 Lybeaus Disc. 1360 I schall for thys baptyse Ryght well quyte thy servyse. |