baptême

baptism; christening; hazing

Inherited from Middle French baptesme, from Old French batesme, bapteme, baptesme (earlier batesma), a semi-learned borrowing from Ecclesiastical Latin baptisma, from Ancient Greek βάπτισμα (báptisma), and Late Latin baptismus, baptismum from Ancient Greek βαπτισμός (baptismós). Doublet of baptisme.

a mild curse word

“[1996], Chrystine Brouillet, C'est pour mieux t'aimer, mon enfant, La Courte Échelle, p. 39, Oui, baptême! C'était mon filleul. Un petit gars intelligent et... — Yes, dangit! He was my godson. A bright little guy and...”

Inherited from Middle French baptesme, from Old French batesme, bapteme, baptesme (earlier batesma), a semi-learned borrowing from Ecclesiastical Latin baptisma, from Ancient Greek βάπτισμα (báptisma), and Late Latin baptismus, baptismum from Ancient Greek βαπτισμός (baptismós). Doublet of baptisme.