catechism

• categise (eye dialect, archaic, rare)

From Late Latin catechismus, from Ancient Greek *κατηχισμός (*katēkhismós), from κατηχίζω (katēkhízō, “to catechize”), a later extended form of κατηχέω (katēkhéō, “to catechize, instruct, teach by word of mouth”), from κατά (katá, “down”) + ἠχέω (ēkhéō, “to sound, to resound”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈkætɪˌkɪzəm/

catechism (plural catechisms)

1. A book, in question and answer form, summarizing the basic principles of Christianity.
2. A basic manual in some subject.
3. A set of questions designed to determine knowledge.
   • 1925, Countee Cullen, Yet Do I Marvel

     Inscrutable His ways are, and immune

     To catechism by a mind too strewn

     With petty cares to slightly understand

     What awful brain compels His awful hand.

• catechesis
• catechist
• catechistic
• catechize
• catechumen

• catechism in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• catechism in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

• schematic