affusion
/ə'fju:ʤn/
Definition
- Noun:
- A method of baptism involving pouring water: "affusion" refers specifically to the Christian rite of baptizing a person by pouring water over their head, as opposed to immersion or sprinkling.
- (Archaic/Medical) The act of pouring a liquid over the body: Historically, "affusion" could also denote the therapeutic act of pouring water over a patient's body, often as a treatment for fever.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The priest performed the baptism by affusion. (The priest carried out the baptism by pouring water.)
- In some Christian denominations, affusion is the preferred method of baptism. (In some Christian groups, baptism by pouring is the favored method.)
- (Historical) The doctor prescribed affusion with cold water to reduce the patient's fever. (The doctor recommended pouring cold water as a treatment.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is primarily used in theological, historical, or liturgical contexts to describe a specific sacramental practice.
- It can appear in academic discussions comparing different modes of baptism (e.g., affusion vs. immersion).
Variants and Related Words
- Affuse (verb, rare): To pour a liquid over or upon something.
- The priest will affuse water during the ceremony.
Synonyms
- Pouring (in the context of baptism).
- Infusion (in a very general sense of pouring in, but not a direct synonym for the baptismal rite).
Related Phrases
- Baptism by affusion: The full phrase specifying the method.
- They practice baptism by affusion rather than full immersion.
Notes on Meaning
- The primary and most common meaning of "affusion" is religious, pertaining to a form of baptism.
- The secondary, historical medical meaning is now largely obsolete and would only be encountered in texts discussing historical medical practices.
Noun
-
the act of baptizing someone by pouring water on their head
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