Word of the Day

: December 23, 2009

baptism of fire

noun BAP-tiz-um-uv-FYRE

What It Means

1 : an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal; especially : a soldier's first exposure to enemy fire

2 : a spiritual baptism by a gift of the Holy Spirit

baptism of fire in Context

Sandra got her baptism of fire as a babysitter when she spent the weekend taking care of her sister’s three rambunctious children.

Did You Know?

In the 1981 volume Airmobility in Vietnam, Lt. General John Tolson used the military sense of "baptism of fire," writing, "Major George D. Hardesty, Jr. of the 8th Transportation Company and Major Robert J. Dillard of the 57th could report that their units performed outstandingly under their first baptism of fire." Tolson and other users of the phrase allude (knowingly or unknowingly) to a Biblical passage: "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me . . . will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Matthew 3:11, RSV). Since at least 1857, "baptism of fire" has been used metaphorically in English for any initiation, especially a difficult one.