Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
catechism. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
catechism, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
catechism in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
catechism you have here. The definition of the word
catechism will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
catechism, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
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, resound”).
Pronunciation
Noun
catechism (plural catechisms)
- A book, in question and answer form, summarizing the basic principles of Christianity.
- A basic manual in some subject.
- A set of questions designed to determine knowledge.
1838 (date written), L E L[andon], chapter V, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. , volume I, London: Henry Colburn, , published 1842, →OCLC, page 43:...the walls were covered with paper, whose original colour and pattern had long since merged in a dingy brown; over this were hung up some unframed drawings, and some shelves on which were ranged all the old school books, grammars, Pinnock's catechisms, and one or two French novels that had belonged to a former governess.
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.
Usage notes
Derived terms
Translations
book summarizing the principles of Christianity
Further reading
- “catechism”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “catechism”, in The Century Dictionary , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Anagrams
Romanian
Noun
catechism n (plural catechisme)
- Obsolete form of catehism.
Declension
References
- catechism in Academia Română, Micul dicționar academic, ediția a II-a, Bucharest: Univers Enciclopedic, 2010. →ISBN