Baptist \Bap"tist\, n. [L. baptista, G. ?]

1. One who administers baptism; -- specifically applied to John, the forerunner of Christ. --Milton.

2. One of a denomination of Christians who deny the validity of infant baptism and of sprinkling, and maintain that baptism should be administered to believers alone, and should be by immersion. See Anabaptist.

Note: In doctrine the Baptists of this country [the United States] are Calvinistic, but with much freedom and moderation. --Amer. Cyc.

Freewill Baptists, a sect of Baptists who are Arminian in doctrine, and practice open communion.

Seventh-day Baptists, a sect of Baptists who keep the seventh day of the week, or Saturday, as the Sabbath. See Sabbatarian. The Dunkers and Campbellites are also Baptists.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)