cate-chisism

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A religious instruction manual: "catechism" refers to a summary of religious doctrine, often in the form of questions and answers, used for teaching the principles of a faith, especially in Christianity.
   • A series of formal questions: By extension, "catechism" can mean a set of formal or repetitive questions used to test knowledge or beliefs, sometimes in a non-religious context.

Usage Examples

• (A book of religious questions and answers for instruction.)
• (A series of formal, probing questions.)

Advanced Usage

• "to put someone through his catechism": to interrogate or question someone thoroughly.
  • The teacher put the students through their catechism before the exam. (The teacher asked them many detailed questions to test their knowledge.)

Variants and Related Words

• Catechetical (adj): relating to teaching by question and answer, especially in religious instruction.
  • The catechetical method is effective for memorizing core beliefs. (The method of question-and-answer teaching.)

Synonyms

• Manual: a handbook of instructions.
• Doctrine: a set of beliefs or teachings.
• Interrogation: a series of formal questions (in the extended sense).

Related Idioms

• Recite one's catechism: to repeat or state one's beliefs or knowledge formally.
  • He could recite his catechism perfectly, answering every question without hesitation. (He could state his religious or personal beliefs fluently.)

Phrasal Verbs

(None directly associated with "catechism" as a noun.)