Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BAP'TISM, n. [Gr. βαπτισμα, from βαπτιζω, from βαπτω, to baptize; Sp. bautizar; It. battezzare; Port. bautizar or baptizar. These seem to be from the Greek, by contraction. But the Arm. badeza, badein, may be from bath, bad, water.]

1. The application of water to a person, as a sacrament or religious ceremony, by which he is initiated into the visible church of Christ. This is usually performed by sprinkling or immersion.
2. The sufferings of Christ. Matth. xx. 22, 23.
3. So much of the Gospel as was preached by John, the Baptist. – Acts xviii. Cruden.