Baptista

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A surname of Portuguese origin, often carried by individuals and families across cultures
2. Referring to a branch of Christianity that practices the act of baptism as central to faith
3. Denoting a genealogical line or heritage tied to those who baptize or have been baptized

Etymology: In Greek, "baptizein" meant "to dip" or "to immerse," and could be used of dipping cloth or of a ship going under. Its agent noun, "baptistēs," meant "one who dips" or "one who baptizes," and the Christian sense of ritual immersion grew from that older physical meaning. Latin took the Greek form as "baptista," and it became the usual title for John the Baptist, the figure who baptized Jesus. Because of him, the name spread widely as a given name, appearing in Italian as "Battista" and in other European languages in similar forms.

Synonyms: baptist, baptist plant, wild cotton