dopen

Dopen is a Dutch verb meaning to baptize. It is used in religious contexts to describe the ceremony in which a person is welcomed into the Christian faith. The corresponding noun for the ceremony is doop. A common example in everyday language is: De priester doopt het kind.

Etymology and scope: The term is rooted in the Christian rite of baptism, and the Dutch doop shares its origin with related words in other languages that refer to baptism. In Dutch usage, dopen appears in liturgical, historical, and cultural discussions about baptismal practices.

Other uses and notes: In English-language contexts, dopen is not a standard word and is not widely documented as a distinct term, beyond its recognition as a Dutch verb. Outside of Dutch, it may appear as a proper noun, a surname, or a brand in some cases, but it does not denote a widely recognized concept in English. Because of its rarity outside Dutch, readers encountering dopen in non-Dutch texts should consider context to determine whether it refers to baptism in Dutch, a name, or a different intended meaning.

See also: Doop (baptism), Baptism in Christian practice.