christening

- 5 dictionary results

chris⋅ten⋅ing

[kris-uh-ning, kris-ning]

–noun

1.	the ceremony of baptism, esp. as accompanied by the giving of a name to a child.

2.	a public ceremony in which a new ship is formally named and launched.

3.	an act or instance of naming or dedicating something new.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME; see christen, -ing ¹

[kris-uh

–verb (used with object)

1.	to receive into the Christian church by baptism; baptize.

2.	to give a name to at baptism: They christened her Mary.

3.	to name and dedicate: to christen a ship.

4.	to make use of for the first time.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME cristenen, OE cristnian, deriv. of cristen Christian

Related forms:

chris⋅ten⋅er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source

chris·ten (krĭs'ən)

tr.v. chris·tened, chris·ten·ing, chris·tens

1. To baptize into a Christian church.
2. To give a name to at baptism.
3. To name: christened the kitten "Snowball."
4. To name and dedicate ceremonially: christen a ship.
1. To name: christened the kitten "Snowball."
2. To name and dedicate ceremonially: christen a ship.
To use for the first time: christened the new car by going for a drive.

[Middle English cristnen, from Old English cristnian, from cristen, Christian; see Christian.]

chris·ten·ing (krĭs'ə-nĭng)

n. The Christian sacrament of baptizing and naming an infant.

Word Origin & History

christen

O.E. cristnian "make Christian," from W.Gmc., from L. christianus (see Christian). General meaning of "to name" is attested from c.1450.

Search another word or see christening on Thesaurus | Reference

About
·
Privacy Policy
·
Terms of Use
·
Careers
·
Advertise with Us
·
Link to Us
·
Contact Us

Partner Sites: