baptize
verbUS [ˈbæp.tajz] · /ˈbæptaɪz/
Etymology From Middle English baptisen, baptizen, from Old French baptiser, batisier, from Ecclesiastical Latin, Late Latin baptizāre, from Ancient Greek βαπτίζω (baptízō, “to immerse, plunge, baptize”).
1
Christianity British, English, Oxford, US To perform the sacrament of baptism by sprinkling or pouring water over someone or immersing them in water.
- I vvas baptized in thy Cordiall vvater, againſt Original ſinne, and I haue drunke of thy Cordiall Blood, for my recouerie, from actuall, and habituall ſinne, in the other Sacrament.1624, John Donne, “11. Prayer.”, in Deuotions upon Emergent Occasions, and Seuerall Steps in My Sicknes: […], London: […] A[ugustine] M[atthews] for Thomas Iones, →OCLC, pages 280–281:
2
British, English, Oxford, US, Figuratively To Christianize.
- Ample evidence for this transfer of divine imagery can be found in early Christian times, when the Mother of God took over the titles, shrines, iconography and power of the great mother goddess of the Mediterranean world. This "baptizing" of pagan imagery was a successful missionary strategy that allowed Christianity to attract peoples accustomed to female deities while still maintaining faith in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit2000 June 17, Elizabeth A. Johnson, “Mary of Nazareth: Friend of God and Prophet”, in America, volume 182, number 21:
4
British, English, Oxford, US, Archaic, Slang Of rum, brandy, or any other spirits, to dilute with water.
- There's a good tavern nearby where they don't baptize liquor!1965, The Road to Santiago: Pilgrims of St. James, page 194:
- In 1833 Charles Kingsley wrote of the Royal Victora Hall in the Waterloo Road as 'a licensed pit of darkness'. The darkness remained unrelieved until, in 1880, Miss Emma Cons took over the lease and baptized the drinks that were served at the bar and the songs that were sung on the stage.1973, Robert Speaight, Shakespeare on the Stage:
1 more example
- The general practice in the West Indies was to baptize, add color, and otherwise adulterate rum to make it appear better.2007, Walter Scott Dunn, Choosing Sides on the Frontier in the American Revolution, →ISBN, page 91:
- Nigga actin tough on the net, Imma baptize him, .223 shells and he’s shot like I am Mad Ryan Put him in a coffin, hold him one year, he is no longer Fucking on an opp nigger, bitch he sayin “go longer!”2022 April 26, “Bad for Business”, OTM ft. Young Bull (lyrics), 1:21:
- I'm on frontstreet over them sides Catch an opp lackin', leave him baptised Bro up the Glock, don't freeze Big rambo, inject with ease (Wet that)2023 September 28, “Block Boy”, #Sinsquad Stewie (lyrics), 1:58:
- Derived terms
- baptizable, baptizand, baptizee, baptizement, baptizer, baptizing, debaptize, rebaptize, unbaptize
- Related terms
- anabaptize, baptism, baptist, baptistry, baptization