baptize

present singular third person baptizes · participle present baptizing · participle past baptized · past baptized · alternative baptise

1. BritishEnglishOxfordUSChristianityTo perform the sacrament of baptism by immersing someone in water or sprinkling or pouring water over them.

   I vvas baptized in thy Cordiall vvater, againſt Original ſinne, and I haue drunke of thy Cordiall Blood, for my recouerie, from actuall, and habituall ſinne, in the other Sacrament.

   1624, John Donne, “11. Prayer.”, in Deuotions upon Emergent Occasions, and Seuerall Steps in My Sicknes: […], London: […] A[ugustine] M[atthews] for Thomas Iones, →OCLC, pages 280–281

   Synonyms: christen, full

2. BritishEnglishOxfordUSfigurativelyTo Christianize.

   1 more example

   Ample evidence for this transfer of divine imagery can be found in early Christian times, when the Mother of God took over the titles, shrines, iconography and power of the great mother goddess of the Mediterranean world. This "baptizing" of pagan imagery was a successful missionary strategy that allowed Christianity to attract peoples accustomed to female deities while still maintaining faith in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit

   2000 June 17, Elizabeth A. Johnson, “Mary of Nazareth: Friend of God and Prophet”, in America, volume 182, number 21

3. BritishEnglishOxfordUSTo dedicate or christen.
4. BritishEnglishOxfordUSarchaicslangOf rum, brandy, or any other spirits, to dilute with water.

   There's a good tavern nearby where they don't baptize liquor!

   1965, The Road to Santiago: Pilgrims of St. James, page 194

   2 more examples

   In 1833 Charles Kingsley wrote of the Royal Victora Hall in the Waterloo Road as 'a licensed pit of darkness'. The darkness remained unrelieved until, in 1880, Miss Emma Cons took over the lease and baptized the drinks that were served at the bar and the songs that were sung on the stage.

   1973, Robert Speaight, Shakespeare on the Stage

   The general practice in the West Indies was to baptize, add color, and otherwise adulterate rum to make it appear better.

   2007, Walter Scott Dunn, Choosing Sides on the Frontier in the American Revolution, →ISBN, page 91

5. BritishEnglishOxfordUSslangTo ensure proper burning of a joint by moistening the exterior with saliva.
6. BritishEnglishOxfordUSslangTo extinguish the life of.

   I'm on frontstreet over them sides Catch an opp lackin', leave him baptised Bro up the Glock, don't freeze Big rambo, inject with ease (Wet that)

   2023 September 28, “Block Boy”, #Sinsquad Stewie (lyrics), 1:58

   1 more example

   Nigga actin tough on the net, Imma baptize him, .223 shells and he’s shot like I am Mad Ryan Put him in a coffin, hold him one year, he is no longer Fucking on an opp nigger, bitch he sayin “go longer!”

   2022 April 26, “Bad for Business”, OTM ft. Young Bull (lyrics), 1:21

   Synonyms: wax, wet, juice up, annihilate, bag, bereave of life, blight, bring down