Catechize
/ˈkæt.əˌkaɪz/noun
To instruct someone by asking them a series of questions and answers, especially in religion.
Did you know?The word comes through Christian teaching manuals called catechisms, ultimately from Greek katēkhein, meaning “to sound down” or “echo back,” because the lesson was meant to be repeated aloud like a verbal spell.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
katēkhein
“to sound down, resound, or instruct by word of mouth”
Late Greek
Greek
katēkheō
“to instruct orally, especially by repeated questioning”
Late Latin
Latin
catechizare
“to instruct in the faith by oral teaching”
Middle English
English
catechisen
“to instruct in Christian doctrine by question and answer”
Modern English
English
catechize
“to question systematically or instruct by formal questioning”
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