half-baptism

English

Noun

half-baptism (countable and uncountable, plural half-baptisms)

1. A short private baptism, formerly used where an infant was at risk of imminent death.
   • 1856, Richard Sims, A manual for the genealogist, topographer, antiquary, and legal professor, page 355:

     Half-baptisms are not recorded, though some clergymen make memoranda of them.

Related terms

• half-baptise, half-baptize