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Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
catechism
noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ For the next few years, Sister Teresa taught geography, history and catechism, and performed several other duties besides.
▪ I had recently begun catechism classes in preparation for my first communion.
▪ I studied the lists of heresies at the back of my catechism.
▪ Indeed, learning science is like learning a catechism.
▪ Some traditional catechism to charm out the identity of a lover?
▪ They are probably those with which your catechism class does not help.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Catechism

Catechism \Cat"e*chism\ (-k[i^]z'm), n. [L. catechismus, fr. Gr. See Catechise.]

  1. A form of instruction by means of questions and answers.

  2. A book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers.

    The Jews, even till this day, have their catechisms.
    --Hooker.

    The Larger Catechism, The Shorter Catechism. See Westminster Assembly, under Assembly.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
catechism

c.1500, "instruction in Christian principles," also "elementary question-and-answer book of religious instruction," from French catéchisme (14c.) and directly from Church Latin catechismus "book of instruction," from Greek katekhismos, from katekhizein "to teach orally" (see catechize). Related: Catechismal.\n\n\n\n

Wiktionary
catechism

n. 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.

WordNet
catechism
  1. n. a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views

  2. an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers

Wikipedia
Catechism

A catechism (; from , "to teach orally"), is a summary or exposition of doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult converts. Catechisms are doctrinal manuals - often in the form of questions followed by answers to be memorised - a format that has been used in non-religious or secular contexts as well. The term catechumen refers to the designated recipient of the catechetical work or instruction. In the Catholic Church, catachumens are those who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Traditionally, they would be placed separately during Holy Mass from those who baptized, and would be dismissed from the liturgical assembly before the Profession of Faith (Creed) and General Intercessions (Prayers of the Faithful).

Early catecheticals emerged from Graeco-Roman mystery religions, especially the late cult of Mithras meant to educate their members into the secretive teachings, which competed with the Christian Church as an underground religion in the 1st to 4th centuries CE and allegedly shared its many ritual practices. Today, they are characteristic of Western Christianity but are also present in Eastern Christianity.

Usage examples of "catechism".

Experiment was made with a number in the spiritual world, who at mention of the Decalog or Catechism rejected it with contempt.

Finally the Unitarians, led by Lelio Sozini, found a home in Poland and made many proselytes, at last becoming so powerful that they founded the new city of Racau, whence issued the famous Racovian Catechism.

Upon this, Barre dreading more questions from the bystanders, hastily resumed his own catechism by asking who was the sorcerer.

Just then one of the bystanders remarked that the mother superior was in the habit of interpreting the Catechism to her scholars.

My friend Dr. Kippis has told me, that on this account it is a practice with him to draw out a biographical catechism.

At twelve, none of her catechism teachings could explain why God had needed to take her father away.

Suddenly, those crude drawings in her Baltimore Catechism of demons with horns and glowing red eyes had made sense.

She works as a secretary at the Dairy Cooperative and teaches in our catechism program.

Sir Francis led Hal through the catechism, as he had countless times before.

In his mind he went over his catechism, for his father would be strict in his judgement.

The questions and responses of the catechism echoed, an endless refrain, through his tired brain, until meaning and reality seemed to recede.

The long catechism began as the starry wheel of the firmament turned slowly overhead and the flames of the watch fire sank lower.

Besides, the ringing over a little earlier warned the lads of catechism hour.

Monsieur Bournisien dropped in every day when he came out after catechism class.

Kurtz continued his catechism with Professor Haywood, and with that Holmes reached the door, the hall, and soon the outside courtyard, taking in as much air as possible in every quick, desperate breath.