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bap·tism noun 1 : a Christian sacrament signifying spiritual rebirth and symbolized by the ritual use of water

2 : an act, experience, or ordeal by which one is purified, sanctified, initiated, or named

— bap·tis·mal adjective

baptismal name noun : GIVEN NAME

Bap·tist noun : a member of any of several Protestant denominations emphasizing baptism by immersion of believers only

bap·tis·tery or bap·tis·try noun, plural -ter·ies or -tries : a place esp. in a church used for baptism

bap·tize verb bap·tized; bap·tiz·ing [ORIGIN: ME, fr. AF baptiser, fr. L baptizare, fr. Gk baptizein to dip, baptize, fr. baptein to dip]

1 a : to administer baptism to

b : to give a name to : CHRISTEN

2 a : to purify esp. by an ordeal

b : to induct into membership by or as if by special rites : INITIATE

Synonyms

[2b] inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, invest—more at INSTALL

1bar noun 1 : a long narrow piece of material (as wood or metal) used esp. for a lever, fastening, or support

2 a : something that blocks or is intended to block passage : OBSTACLE

b : a submerged or partly submerged bank (as of sand) along a shore or in a river often obstructing navigation

3 a : the railing in a law court at which prisoners are stationed

b : the legal profession or the whole body of lawyers

4 : a stripe, band, or line much longer than wide

5 : a counter at which food or esp. drink is served; also : BARROOM

6 : a vertical line across the musical staff

Synonyms

[2a] block, chain, embarrassment, encumbrance, handicap, hindrance, interference, obstacle—more at ENCUMBRANCE

[5] barroom, café, pub, public house, saloon, tavern—more at BARROOM

2bar verb barred; bar·ring 1 : to fasten, confine, or obstruct with or as if with a bar or bars

2 : to mark with bars : STRIPE

3 : to shut or keep out : EXCLUDE

4 : to command against : FORBID

Synonyms

[3] ban, count out, debar, eliminate, except, exclude, rule out—more at EXCLUDE

[4] ban, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe—more at FORBID

3bar preposition : with the exclusion or exception of : EXCEPT

Synonyms

aside from, barring, besides, but, except, outside, save—more at EXCEPT

4bar abbreviation barometer; barometric

Bar abbreviation Baruch

barb noun 1 : a sharp projection extending backward (as from the point of an arrow)

2 : a biting critical remark

— barbed adjective

Synonyms

affront, dart, dig, indignity, insult, name, offense, outrage, put-down, sarcasm, slight, slur, wound—more at INSULT

1barbarian adjective 1 : of, relating to, or being a land, culture, or people alien to and usu. believed to be inferior to another's

2 : lacking refinement, learning, or artistic or literary culture

2barbarian noun : one that is barbarian

bar·bar·ic adjective 1 : BARBARIAN

2 : marked by a lack of restraint : WILD

3 : mercilessly harsh or cruel : BARBAROUS

bar·ba·rism noun 1 : the social condition of barbarians; also : the use or display of barbarian or barbarous acts, attitudes, or ideas

2 : a word or expression that offends standards of correctness or purity

bar·bar·i·ty noun : barbarous cruelty

Synonyms

brutality, cruelty, inhumanity, sadism, savagery, viciousness, wantonness—more at CRUELTY

bar·ba·rous adjective 1 : lacking culture or refinement

2 : using linguistic barbarisms

3 : mercilessly harsh or cruel

— bar·ba·rous·ly adverb

Synonyms

[1] heathen, heathenish, Neanderthal, rude, savage, uncivil, uncivilized, uncultivated, wild—more at SAVAGE

[3] brutal, cruel, heartless, inhumane, sadistic, savage, vicious—more at CRUEL

1barbecue noun : a social gathering at which barbecued food is served

2barbecue verb -cued; -cu·ing 1 : to cook over hot coals or on a revolving spit

2 : to cook in a highly seasoned vinegar sauce

bar·bell noun : a bar with adjustable weights attached to each end used for exercise and in weight-lifting competition

bar·ber noun [ORIGIN: ME, fr. AF barboor, fr. barbe beard, fr. L barba]

: one whose business is cutting and dressing