Catechism
/ˈkæt.ə.kɪz.əm/noun
A summary of religious doctrine, usually in question-and-answer form.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek *katēkhein*, meaning “to resound” or “to teach by word of mouth,” so its earliest power was literally in the spoken voice.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
katēkhein
“to resound, sound down; later, to instruct by spoken word”
Late Greek
Greek
katēkhēsis
“oral instruction, especially religious teaching”
Late Latin
Latin
catechesis
“instruction by word of mouth in Christian doctrine”
Middle English
English
catechisme
“a manual of Christian instruction in question-and-answer form”
Modern English
English
catechism
“a summary of religious principles, especially in Q&A form”