Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A text summarizing the basic principles of a Christian denomination, usually in question-and-answer form.
- noun Formal indoctrination in the tenets of a Christian denomination; catechesis.
- noun A manual giving basic instruction in a subject, usually by rote or repetition.
- noun A body of fundamental principles or beliefs, especially when accepted uncritically.
- noun A close questioning or examination, as of a political figure.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A form of instruction by means of questions and answers, particularly in the principles of religion.
- noun 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 the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun A form of instruction by means of questions and answers.
- noun A book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers.
- noun See Westminster Assembly, under
Assembly .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
book , inquestion andanswer form,summarizing the basicprinciples ofChristianity . - noun A
basic manual in some subject. - noun A set of questions designed to determine
knowledge .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers
- noun 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
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Examples
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Then we had what we called the catechism -- the chief end of man.
Lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll - Latest Robert Green Ingersoll 1866
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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 2010
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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.
Lance Mannion: 2009
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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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Religious instruction, such as Catholic catechism, is strictly voluntary.
France: A Pro-Church Law Helps a Mosque, while many Muslim students attend Catholic schools 2008
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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.
Moses rode a triceratops to the promised land? Jessica Hagy 2006
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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 1840-1916 1913
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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 1894
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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 1894
fbharjo commented on the word catechism
specifically, the M-W definition
March 10, 2011