chrisom

[ kriz-uhm ]

noun

1. chrism.
2. a white cloth or robe put on a person at baptism to signify innocence.

chrisom

/ ˈkrɪzəm /

noun

1. Christianity a white robe put on an infant at baptism and formerly used as a burial shroud if the infant died soon afterwards
2. archaic.
   an infant wearing such a robe
3. a variant spelling of chrism

Word History and Origins

Origin of chrisom¹

1400–50; late Middle English krysom, crysum, variant of chrism

Example Sentences

The chrisom was a white baptismal robe with which, in mediæval times, a child, when christened, was enveloped.

From Project Gutenberg

In Graunt’s “Bills of Mortality,” cited in Johnson’s Dictionary, we read: “When the convulsions were but were but few, the number of chrisoms and infants was greater.”

From Project Gutenberg

When children died within the month they were called chrisoms.

From Project Gutenberg

At her churching a woman was expected to make some offering to the church, such as the chrisom or alb thrown over the child at christening.

From Project Gutenberg

He died like a lamb, or, as men call it, like a chrisom child, quietly and without fear.'

From Project Gutenberg