[ˈbaptɪz(ə)m], (Noun)

Definitions:
- 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
(e.g: the sacrament of baptism)


Phrases:
- baptism of fire

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