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   baptism

   /ˈbaptɪz(ə)m/

   noun

   • 1. the Christian religious rite of sprinkling water on to a person's forehead or of immersing them in water, symbolizing purification or regeneration and admission to the Christian Church. In many denominations, baptism is performed on young children and is accompanied by name-giving: "the sacrament of baptism" Similar christeningnamingimmersionsprinklingrare:lustration
   • ▪ a ceremony or occasion at which baptism takes place: "weddings, funerals, and baptisms are carried out in the parish church"
   • ▪ a person's initiation into a particular activity or role, typically one perceived as difficult: "this event constituted his baptism as a politician" Similar initiationdebutintroductioninaugurationlaunchbeginningrite of passagerite de passageformal:commencement

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French baptesme, via ecclesiastical Latin from ecclesiastical Greek baptismos ‘ceremonial washing’, from baptizein ‘immerse, baptize’.

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • P

     3

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • S

     1

   • M

     3

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