Baptize
/bæpˈtaɪz/noun
To administer the Christian rite of baptism or to give someone or something a name.
Did you know?Baptize comes through Greek religious language, but its deeper root is the everyday idea of plunging something into liquid — a reminder that sacred words often begin as physical acts.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʷabh-
“to dip, plunge”
Ancient Greek
Greek
βάπτω (báptō)
“to dip, plunge, dye”
Ancient Greek
Greek
βαπτίζω (baptízō)
“to dip repeatedly, immerse; later, to baptize”
Late Latin
Latin
baptizāre
“to baptize”
Old French
Old French
baptiser
“to baptize”
Middle English
English
baptisen
“to baptize”
Modern English
English
baptize
“to administer baptism or name ceremonially”