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baptismal

baptismal

9 6.7
Relating to a baptism ceremony
  • adjective
  • /ˈbæptɪzməl/
translation icon : bautismal
  • The church holds a ceremony for all the baptismal candidates this Sunday.
  • baptismal font
  • baptismal records
  • baptismal event

Examples

  • Of the twenty-seven appearing on the marriage and baptismal registers, five were slaves and seven were listed as free.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Ladies and gentlemen, if you would please join me at the baptismal font.

  • I had to be helped into the baptismal pool, though.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The lake reminds me of the baptismal pool at Reverend Gaspar's church.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • There's a beautiful baptismal font in the church.

  • Now that you've come of age, I ask that you renew your baptismal vows.

  • Twenty years apart, we were baptized right there," she said, pointing to the marble baptismal font.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Renaissance Florentines chose friends and neighbors with whom to exchange baptismal kinship ties.

    Academic text (1995)
  • I don't know how many godparents and babies gathered respectfully around the baptismal fonts.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The priest explained the significance of the baptismal ritual before the ceremony started.

Compounds

A large bowl in a church that holds water for baptisms

A name given to someone in a Christian church ceremony when they are a baby

Surface Forms

baptismal positive

Morphology

baptismal = baptism (transparent) = baptism + al

The adjective is formed regularly from the noun 'baptism' with '-al', so the meaning 'relating to baptism' is straightforward.

Etymology

The word baptismal comes from baptize, from a Greek root meaning 'to dip' or 'to wash', so it describes things used in a baptism. That's why a baptismal font holds water, a baptismal gown is worn during the ceremony, and a baptismal certificate marks the event.