noun

baptism

baptism

The baby's baptism is on Sunday.

The baby's baptism is on Sunday.

It was a baptism of fire for the new manager.

It was a baptism of fire for the new manager.

((a/the)) baptism a religious ceremony The baptism will take place at the church.

((a)) baptism ((of sth.)) a difficult first experience It was a baptism of fire.

Synonyms: christening, initiation

From Greek 'baptizein' meaning 'to dip, immerse'. It refers to the ritual of immersing the body in water.

Think of being 'dipped' in water. The phrase 'baptism of fire' is an idiom for a difficult first experience.

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