Dictionary.com Unabridged
**cat·e·chize **
- to instruct orally by means of questions and answers, esp. in Christian doctrine.
- to question with reference to belief.
- to question closely.
[Origin: 1375–1425; late ME < LL catéchizāre < Gk katéchízein to make (someone) learn by teaching orally, equiv. to katéch(eǐn) to teach orally (see catechist) + -izein -ize]
[French catechisme, from Old French, from Late Latin catēchismus, from Late Greek katēkhismos, from katēkhizein, to **teach by word of mouth; see catechize.]
[Middle English catecizen, from Old French catechiser, from Medieval Latin catēchizāre, from Late Greek katēkhizein, from Greek katēkhein : kata-, down, off, out; see cata- + ēkhein, **to sound (from ēkhē, sound).
American Heritage Dictionary - **cat·e·chist ** (kāt’ĭ-kĭst) Pronunciation Key
n. A person who catechizes, especially** one who instructs **catechumens in preparation for admission into a Christian church.
[French catechiste, from Old French, from Late Latin catēchista, from Late Greek katēkhistēs, from katēkhizein, **to teach by word of mouth; see catechize.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This **cat·e·chu·men ** (kāt’ĭ-kyōō’mən) Pronunciation Key
n.
**One who is being taught **the principles of Christianity.
**One who is being instructed **in a subject at an elementary level.
[Middle English cathecumine, from Old French catechumene, from Latin catēchūmenus, from Greek katēkhoumenos, present passive participle of katēkhein, **to instruct; see catechize.
**catechesis **
noun
oral religious instruction
(as before baptism or confirmation)
