chrisom
Noun 1. A white robe or cloth put on a child at baptism, used as a shroud if the child died within a month. Historically, this was a garment symbolizing innocence and purity, worn during the Christian sacrament of baptism. 2. (Archaic) The child wearing such a robe; specifically, a child who died within a month of birth. This meaning derives from the historical practice and the associated garment.
The word "chrisom" is now almost entirely historical and archaic. It is used primarily in historical, religious, or literary contexts to refer to the baptismal garment or the infant associated with it. - It is a countable noun (e.g., a chrisom, the chrisom).
- The priest carefully wrapped the newborn in the chrisom for the baptism ceremony.
- In medieval records, the term "chrisom child" was used to denote an infant who died very soon after baptism.
- The tiny chrisom in the museum display showed the fine linen used for the rite.
- Chrisom child: An archaic term for an infant who dies within its first month, often before the mother's churching ceremony (the ceremony where a woman is blessed after childbirth).
- The parish register listed several "chrisom children" that year, a sad reminder of high infant mortality.
- Chrism: A consecrated oil used in baptism, confirmation, and other sacraments. Note: "Chrism" (with an 'n') is a different but related word referring to the holy oil, not the garment. "Chrisom" (with an 'm') is derived from this word.
- Chrysom: An obsolete spelling variant of "chrisom".
- Baptismal robe
- Baptismal garment
- (Archaic) Chrisson
The provided reference definition ("a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam") describes the word chrism, not chrisom. While the words are etymologically connected, they have distinct meanings in English usage: - Chrism (noun): The holy oil. - Chrisom (noun): The baptismal robe/cloth or the infant wearing it.
- a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam