Library / English Dictionary

CHRISTEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Administer baptism to

Example:

The parents had the child baptized

Synonyms:

baptise; baptize; christen

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "christen" is one way to...):

be known as; call; know as; name (assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody something

Sentence example:

They christen him "Bobby"

Derivation:

christening (giving a Christian name at baptism)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Do not forget that we have a christening today! and running after him he took him by the sleeve, but was also held fast to it.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Laurie and his grandfather came over to see her off, and Mr. Brooke looked so strong and sensible and kind that the girls christened him 'Mr. Greatheart' on the spot.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

You are not, perhaps, aware that I am your namesake? —that I was christened St. John Eyre Rivers?

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Not that they had ever quarrelled (Miss Mills informed me); but that having been, on the occasion of Dora's christening, invited to tea, when they considered themselves privileged to be invited to dinner, they had expressed their opinion in writing, that it was better for the happiness of all parties that they should stay away.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

When she went home the mouse inquired: “And what was the child christened?” “Half-done,” answered the cat.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

I discovered, however, that this youth had not been christened by that name, but that it had been bestowed upon him in the warehouse, on account of his complexion, which was pale or mealy.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I should like a drop of sweet red christening wine myself.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The countryman then began to tell his tale, and said he was going to take the goose to a christening.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

So the pot was placed in safety, but it was not long before the cat had a great yearning for it, and said to the mouse: I want to tell you something, little mouse; my cousin has brought a little son into the world, and has asked me to be godmother; he is white with brown spots, and I am to hold him over the font at the christening.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)