Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “baptize” come from?

baptize (Middle English) comes from Middle English bapteme, from Old French batesme, from Latin baptismus, from Latin baptismum, from Ancient Greek βαπτισμός, from Ancient Greek βαπτίζω, from Ancient Greek βάπτω, from Proto-Hellenic gʷápťō — to dive, dive in.

baptize (Middle English): Alternative form of bapteme; Alternative form of...

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of bapteme; Alternative form of...

Ancestry of “baptize”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishbaptemeThe practice or custom of baptism; Belief in the...
2Old Frenchbatesme—
3Latinbaptismus—
4Latinbaptismumbaptism; washing, sprinkling
5Ancient Greekβαπτισμόςa dipping, a washing; baptism
6Ancient Greekβαπτίζωto dip, plunge; to immerse; to drown, sink
7Ancient GreekβάπτωI dip, submerge; I dye, colour; I baptise
8Proto-Hellenicgʷápťō—
9Proto-Indo-Europeangʷh₂bʰ-yé-ti—
10Proto-Indo-Europeangʷeh₂bʰ-to dive, dive in
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷeh₂bʰ- →