rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycatechismInstructional teachings
noun

catechism

KAT-uh-kiz-um/ˈkætəkɪzəm/

A set of religious or other teachings presented as questions and answers.

The students learned the catechism through questions and answers.

Latino catechist and East Asian learner exchanging religious questions and answers.
Etymology
catGreekthoroughly
+echGreekto sound, ring
+ismGreekaction or practice

The image of sounding something thoroughly in someone's ear developed into teaching by word of mouth. Catechism came to name religious instruction and the question-and-answer book used for it.

In context

UCEglobal17:39
the next stage of chastity that's spoken about in our catechism is the positive effect that we begin having on those around us
Teens and Sex: Chastity from the Medical Perspective by Kim Dernovsek, MD

More examples

  • A short catechism summarized the church’s teaching.
  • The handbook became a catechism of the movement’s principles.
  • She compared two editions of the catechism.

Forms

catechism · catechisms

Similar words

creed
A creed states beliefs; a catechism commonly teaches them through questions and answers.
manual
A manual provides instruction; a catechism uses a particular question-and-answer teaching form.