noun
baptism
BAP-tiz-um/ˈbæptɪzəm/
A water ceremony marking Christian initiation.
The family gathers around the font for the baptism.
Etymology
The pieces name an act of dipping or immersing. Christian baptism originally involved full immersion, so this physical action supplied the name for the water-based initiation ceremony.
In context
How do the most sacred Christian sacraments, baptism, and the eucharist mirror the mystery cults of the hellistic age? To understand the rights, we first have to examine the elemental tool used in them, the water
More examples
- Several baptisms took place during the morning service.
- Her first week on the job was a baptism of fire.
- They invited relatives to witness the infant’s baptism.
Forms
baptism · baptisms
baptize verb — Admit through the Christian water ceremony.
Similar words
- christening
- Often emphasizes naming a child at baptism.
- initiation
- Covers admission to many groups or new experiences.