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. Shaks., 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.
