catechism

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“
All the answers in the catechism are the wrong way about; it is the scholar who instructs the teacher; in the child's mouth they are a downright lie, since they explain what he does not understand, and affirm what he cannot believe.

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Definitions (9)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. noun A book giving a brief summary of the basic principles of Christianity in question-and-answer form.
  2. noun A manual giving basic instruction in a subject, usually by rote or repetition.
  3. noun 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).
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Examples (50)

  • I was rather pleased at the first question in the Church catechism, which is certainly quite on the level of any child's understanding,—'What is your name?' —  The Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe
  • One of the two weekly half-holidays was required for the catechism, and the only relaxation from the three church services on Sunday was the reading of “Pilgrim's Progress.” This cold and severe discipline at home would have been intolerable but for the more lovingly demonstrative and impulsive character of the mother, whose gentle nature and fine intellect won the tender veneration of her children. —  Washington Irving
  • Parents, the catechism is saying, sin against their children when they —  About.com Agnosticism / Atheism
  • They requested that I assume the task of completing their catechism, and that I '' baptize '' them Orthodox. —  orrologion
  • A catechism is a statement of doctrinal belief often made in a series of questions and answers. —  depression introspection
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Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. French catechisme, from Old French, from Late Latin catēchismus, from Late Greek katēkhismos, from katēkhizein, to teach by word of mouth; see catechize.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. = French catéchisme = Spanish catecismo, catequismo = Portuguese catechismo = Italian catechismo, catecismo = Dutch catechismus = German katechismus = Danish katekismus (cf. Swedish kateches), from Late Latin catechismus, from Greek *κατηχισμός, from κατηχίζειν, catechize: see catechise.
 

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/ˈkætəkɪzm/
by American Heritage

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