Forms: α. 3–5 bapteme, 3–6 baptem, -im, 3–7 -ime, 4–6 baptym(e, (6 babtym); β. 4–7 baptisme, (5 baptesme, batesme), 6–7 baptysme, 7– baptism. [ME. bapteme, a. OF. baptesme, baptême (also batesme, batême), semi-popular adaptations of L. baptismus, a. Gr. βαπτισμός, n. of action f. βαπτίζ-ειν to BAPTIZE. In 16th c. assimilated to the L. and Gr.]
1. The action or ceremony of baptizing; immersion of a person in water, or application of water by pouring or sprinkling, as a religious rite, symbolical of moral or spiritual purification or regeneration, and, as a Christian ordinance, betokening initiation into the Church. Name of baptism: see BAPTISMAL name.
(With possessive and objective genitive; e.g., ‘John’s baptism,’ that administered by John, ‘the jailer’s baptism,’ that received by the jailer.)
α. a. 1300. Cursor M., 12726. In þis hali Ion time Was lagh bigun neu of baptim.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., A. 626. In þe water of baptem þay dyssente.
1382. Wyclif, Matt. iii. 7. Seeynge many of Pharisees … commynge to his bapteme.
1494. Fabyan, VI. clv. 143. After he had clothyd them with the mantell of baptym.
1521. Fisher, Wks., I. 334. The sacramente of baptyme.
1589. Marprel. Epit. (1843), 28. For baptim doth not contain the perfection of religion.
β. 1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 375. Bretheren in blode & in baptesme.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., III. xxi. 219. A madde man … may not receyue batesme.
1528. More, Heresyes, I. Wks. 167/1. Ipsum audite saide the father at the tyme of his baptisme.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 3 a. The purchaser be named by the name of baptism and his surname.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath. (1839), 499. Baptism is the sacrament of allegiance of them that are to be received into the kingdom of God.
1851. Robertson, Serm., Ser. IV. (1863), I. 25. Christian Baptism … on God’s part is an authoritative revelation of his Paternity; on man’s part it is an acceptance of God’s covenant.
2. fig. (in various senses; cf. BAPTIZE v. 2.) Also applied to the death by violence, or ‘baptism of blood,’ of unbaptized martyrs, and to the ceremony of blessing and naming church bells and ships. (cf. Du Cange, Campanas Baptizari.)
1382. Wyclif, Luke xii. 50. Sothli I haue to be baptisid with baptym.
1585. Abp. Sandys, Serm. (1841), 19. They upon their foundation have builded the baptism of bells and ships.
1648. Herrick, Hesper. (1869), 100. Those maiden showers Which by the peepe of day do strew A baptime o’er the flowers.
1860. Edersheim, Kurtz’s Ch. Hist., I. § 54. Of the baptism of blood in martyrdom.
Mod. A severe baptism of suffering.
