different between catechize vs catechism

English

Alternative forms

• (UK) catechise

Etymology

From Latin catechizare, from Ancient Greek ?????????? (kat?khízein), from ??????? (kat?khé?, “to teach (orally)”), from ???? (katá, “down”) + ???? (?khé?, “to sound, to resound”).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?kæt?ka?z/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?kat?ka?z/
• Hyphenation US: cat?e?chize, UK: cat?ech?ize

Verb

catechize (third-person singular simple present catechizes, present participle catechizing, simple past and past participle catechized) (transitive)

1. To give oral instruction, especially of religion; (specifically) by the formal question-and-answer method; in the Church of England and Roman Catholic Church, to teach the catechism as preparation for confirmation.
2. To question at length.

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• categise (eye dialect, archaic, rare)

Etymology

From Late Latin catechismus, from Ancient Greek *?????????? (*kat?khismós), from ???????? (kat?khíz?, “to catechize”), a later extended form of ??????? (kat?khé?, “to catechize, instruct, teach by word of mouth”), from ???? (katá, “down”) + ???? (?khé?, “to sound, resound”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?kæt??k?z?m/

Noun

catechism (plural catechisms)

1. A book, in question and answer form, summarizing the basic principles of Christianity.
2. A basic manual in some subject.
3. A set of questions designed to determine knowledge.
   • 1925, Countee Cullen, Yet Do I Marvel

     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.

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• catechism in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• catechism in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

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