bap·tize
 baptize
 |
|
- pronunciation:
- baep
taIz
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
baptizes, baptizing, baptized |
| definition 1: |
to administer the Christian rite of immersion in or sprinkling with water, to purify symbolically and admit to church membership.
The minister baptized the baby last Sunday.- similar words:
- christen
|
| definition 2: |
to purify symbolically; initiate by purifying rite.
|
| definition 3: |
to give a first or Christian name to by means of a baptismal ceremony.
- similar words:
- christen
|
| related words: |
immerse, name, wash |
|
|
| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to perform baptism.
Does this church baptize? |
| derivation: |
baptizer (n.) |
The word baptize
contains the following part:
-ize, -ise
Greek
verb-forming suffix
that means
to turn into or cause to be
More about this word part:
The suffix -ize
, -ise
forms transitive verbs from adjectives (civilize
) and nouns (crystallize
). The oldest English verbs ending in -ize
were loanwords from Greek (baptize
, catechize).
Example words: