2. A child which died within a month after its baptism; — so called from the chrisom cloth which was
used as a shroud for it. [Obs.] Blount.
Christ
(Christ) n. [L. Christus, Gr. fr. anointed, fr. chri`ein to anoint. See The Anointed; an appellation
given to Jesus, the Savior. It is synonymous with the Hebrew Messiah.
Christcross
(Christ"cross`) n.
1. The mark of the cross, as cut, painted, written, or stamped on certain objects, — sometimes as the
sign of 12 o'clock on a dial.
The fescue of the dial is upon the christcross of noon.
Old Play. Nares.
2. The beginning and the ending. [Obs.] Quarles.
Christcross-row
(Christ"cross-row`) The alphabet; — formerly so called, either from the cross usually
set before it, or from a superstitious custom, sometimes practiced, of writing it in the form of a cross, by
way of a charm.
From infant conning of the Christcross- row.
Wordsworth.
Christen
(Chris"ten) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Christened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Christening.] [AS. cristnian to
make a Christian, fr. cristen a Christian.]
1. To baptize and give a Christian name to.
2. To give a name; to denominate. "Christen the thing what you will." Bp. Burnet.
3. To Christianize. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.
4. To use for the first time. [Colloq.]
Christendom
(Chris"ten*dom) n. [AS. cristendm; cristen a Christian + -dom.]
1. The profession of faith in Christ by baptism; hence, the Christian religion, or the adoption of it. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. The name received at baptism; or, more generally, any name or appelation. [Obs.]
Pretty, fond, adoptious christendoms.
Shak.
3. That portion of the world in which Christianity prevails, or which is governed under Christian institutions,
in distinction from heathen or Mohammedan lands.
The Arian doctrine which then divided Christendom.
Milton
A wide and still widening Christendom.
Coleridge.
4. The whole body of Christians. Hooker.
Christian
(Chris"tian) n. [L. christianus, Gr. cf. AS. cristen. See Christ.]
1. One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by
Him; especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ.
The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts xi. 26.
