Oral religious instruction (as before baptism or confirmation)

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
from Greek katekhesis "instruction by word of mouth," from katekhein "to instruct orally," originally "to resound" (with sense evolution via "to sound (something) in someone's ear; to teach by word of mouth." From kata- "down" (in this case, "thoroughly") ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. religious instruction given orally to catechumens.

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Catechesis (; from Greek : , "instruction by word of mouth", generally "instruction") is basic Christian religious education of children and adults. It started as education of converts to Christianity , but as the religion became institutionalized, catechesis ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. oral religious instruction (as before baptism or confirmation)