catechism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a summary of Christian doctrine arranged as questions and answers for instruction

   The child memorized the opening question of the catechism.

2. 2
   noun

   a fixed series of questions, or a concise question-and-answer manual on any subject

   The interviewer worked through a familiar catechism about taxes and public spending.

From Late Latin catechismus and Greek katechismos, from katechizein, 'to instruct orally.' The Greek verb is related to katechein, literally 'to sound down or into the ears,' from kata, 'down,' + echein, 'to sound.' The word came to name doctrinal instruction and especially its question-and-answer manual.

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