baptism

bap-tism · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A Christian religious rite of sprinkling water on someone's head or immersing them in water, symbolizing purification and admission to the Church.

  2. 2.

    A person's first experience of a difficult situation.

Forms

plural: baptisms

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    baptism of fire — A difficult first experience, especially in battle.
  • •
    baptism by immersion — Full immersion in water during the rite.

Related words

See also: baptize, christening, sacrament
Synonyms: christening, immersion

Etymology

From Greek baptismos ("washing, dipping"), from baptizein ("to dip, immerse").