βαπτισμός, -οῦ, ὁ (βαπτίζω), prop. the act of which βάπτισμα is the result;

__1. a dipping, washing, lustration: Mrk.7:4; of Jewish ceremonial. Heb.9:10; in Heb.6:2, βαπτισμῶν διδαχήν (-ῆς), "the pl. and the peculiar form seem to be used to include Christian baptism with other lustral rites" (Westc, in l.).

__2. baptism: FlJ, Ant. 18, 5, 2 (of John's baptism), and some Fathers (see Soph. see word). Not so in NT, unless ἐν τ. βαπτισμῷ, in the act of baptism, Col.2:12, be read with Tr. (Rec. WH, R, -ματι).

† (AS)

a dipping; washing; lustration; baptism