catechism
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Late Latin catechismus, from Ancient Greek *κατηχισμός (*katēkhismós), from κατηχίζω (katēkhízō, “to catechize”), a later extended form of κατηχέω (katēkhéō, “to catechize, instruct, teach by word of mouth”), from κατά (katá, “down”) + ἠχέω (ēkhéō, “to sound, resound”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
catechism (plural catechisms)
- A book, in question and answer form, summarizing the basic principles of Christianity.
- A basic manual in some subject.
- A set of questions designed to determine knowledge.
- 1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter V, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 43:
- ...the walls were covered with paper, whose original colour and pattern had long since merged in a dingy brown; over this were hung up some unframed drawings, and some shelves on which were ranged all the old school books, grammars, Pinnock's catechisms, and one or two French novels that had belonged to a former governess.
- 1925, Countee Cullen, Yet Do I Marvel[1]:
- Inscrutable His ways are, and immune
To catechism by a mind too strewn
With petty cares to slightly understand
What awful brain compels His awful hand.
Usage notes edit
- Not to be confused with cataclysm.
Related terms edit
Translations edit
book summarizing the principles of Christianity
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Further reading edit
- “catechism”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “catechism”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Anagrams edit
Romanian edit
Noun edit
catechism n (plural catechisme)
Declension edit
Declension of catechism
singular | plural | |||
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indefinite articulation | definite articulation | indefinite articulation | definite articulation | |
nominative/accusative | (un) catechism | catechismul | (niște) catechisme | catechismele |
genitive/dative | (unui) catechism | catechismului | (unor) catechisme | catechismelor |
vocative | catechismule | catechismelor |