Baptize: In everyday ancient Greek,… | etymologist.ai
baptize
/bæpˈtaɪz/·verb·c. 1200·Established
Origin
From Greek 'baptizein' (to dip, to immerse) — originally mundane (dipping cloth in dye), adopted by Christians for their sacred initiation rite.
Definition
To perform the Christian sacrament of immersion in or sprinkling with water as a sign of purification and admission to the Church; to give a name to.
The Full Story
Greek1200swell-attested
From OldFrench 'baptiser,' from Latin 'baptizāre,' from Greek 'baptízein' (βαπτίζειν, 'to dip, to immerse, to wash'), frequentative of 'báptein' ('to dip'), from PIE *gʷabʰ- ('to dip, to sink, to dive'). The Greek verb was originally entirely secular—'baptízein' described dipping cloth in dye, sinking a ship, or drawing water. The religious transformation occurredthrough
twice: once through Old English church Latin as 'baptizian,' and again through Norman French 'baptiser,' with the French form prevailing. Key roots: βάπτειν (baptein) (Greek: "to dip, to immerse").