Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
- n. A book giving a brief summary of the basic principles of Christianity in question-and-answer form.
- n. A manual giving basic instruction in a subject, usually by rote or repetition.
- n. A body of fundamental principles or beliefs, especially when accepted uncritically: "the core of the catechism of the antinuclear left, the notion that the threat to peace is technological, not political” ( George F. Will).
- n. A close questioning or examination, as of a political figure.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- n. A book, in question and answer form, summarizing the basic principles of Christianity.
- n. A basic manual in some subject.
- n. A set of questions designed to determine knowledge.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
- n. A form of instruction by means of questions and answers.
- n. A book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. A form of instruction by means of questions and answers, particularly in the principles of religion.
- n. An elementary book containing a summary of principles in any science or art, but especially in religion, reduced to the form of questions and answers, and sometimes with notes, explanations, and references to authorities.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- n. an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers
- n. a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Examples
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Then we had what we called the catechism -- the chief end of man.
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The bishops might defend themselves on the grounds that when it comes to articles of faith the catechism is not a Chinese menu.
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Their catechism is very similar to RCs but marriage is an option for those not wanting to climb the organised theological career ladder.
What, no priest abuse of children in Asia? — Fusion Despatches
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Religious instruction, such as Catholic catechism, is strictly voluntary.
France: A Pro-Church Law Helps a Mosque, while many Muslim students attend Catholic schools
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"Not all Christians are creationists" she says with one side of her mouth, while espousing the episcopal catechism from the pulpit with the other side.
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I was always the one to ask the 'wrong' questions in catechism classes.
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The word catechism was also formerly used for the act of instructing ( "To say ay, and no, to these particulars, is more than to answer in a catechism" -- As You Like It, act iii, sc. 2), as catéchisme is still used in French; but it is now more properly applied to the little printed book in which the questions and answers are contained.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 5: Diocese-Fathers of Mercy
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However, according to the usage of the word catechism described above, the statement quoted does not preclude that Luther, when writing thus, was engaged on both Catechisms.
Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
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It is for this reason, too, that it bears the name catechism,
Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
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Luther added the explanation "christliche Zucht" because the word catechism had not yet become current among the people.
Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
fbharjo commented on the word catechism
specifically, the M-W definition
March 10, 2011