catechism
(ˈkætɪkɪzm)
Forms: 6 (?) catechyzon, cathecysme, chatechisme, 6–7 catechisme, 6– catechism.
[ad. L. catēchismus (in med.L. also cathecismus), on Gr. type *κατηχισµός (n. of action f. κατηχίζ-ειν) taken as = κατήχησις; see catechesis. Cf. F. catéchisme.]
† 1. Catechetical instruction; catechesis. Obs.
| 1502 Ord. Crysten Men i. ii. (W. de W. 1506) 14 And that suffyseth as now of the exorcysme and cathecysme. 1579 Fulke Heskins' Parl. 407 The learners of Catechisme were dismissed after the Lessons that were read. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. iii. ii. 241 To say I and no, to these particulars, is more then to answer in a Catechisme. |
2. An elementary treatise for instruction in the principles of the Christian religion, in the form of question and answer; such a book accepted and issued by a church as an authoritative exposition of its teaching, as the (Church) Catechism, that of the Church of England in the Book of Common Prayer, the Longer Catechism and Shorter Catechisms, of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, used by the Presbyterian churches, etc.
| 1509 J. Collet Foundat. Stat. St. Paul's Sch. in Lib. Cantab. (1855) 452/3 The maister shall..first se, that they can saye the catechyzon [? -yzm]. I will the children learne first above all the catechyzon in Englishe. [1540 Cranmer (title), Catechismus; that is to say, a Shorte Instruction into Christian Religion, for the synguler commoditie and profyte of Children and yong people.] 1549 Bk. Com. Prayer, A Catechism, that is to say, an Instruction to be learned of every child before he be brought to be confirmed of the Bishop. 1552 Abp. Hamilton Catech. 26 Ane Catechisme, that is ane common instruction contenand schortly and plainly thai thingis quhilk ar necessary to tham to ken and keip, to the plesour of God and thair eternal salvation. 1597 Pilgr. Parnass. iii. 354 Twoo or three hundreth of chatechismes of Jeneva's printe. 1648 (title) The Shorter Catechism, agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. 1653 Walton Angler i. 31 That good, plain, unperplext Catechism, that is printed with the old Service Book. a 1711 Ken Direct. Prayer Wks. (1838) 339 The doctrine delivered in the Catechism. 1752 A. Mair (title), Brief Explication of the Assemblie's Shorter Catechism. 1841–4 Emerson Ess. Circles Wks. (Bohn) I. 130 We can never see Christianity from the catechism. |
3. transf. A book of instruction in other subjects by question and answer. (In 17th c. chiefly applied to works which parodied the preceding; its serious use and general extension came later.)
| a 1637 B. Jonson Verses on Drayton's Muse (R.) This book! is a catechism to fight And will be bought of every lord and knight, That can but read. 1643 Heylin (title), The Rebels Catechism. 1754 (title), The Freethinker's Catechism; that is to say an Instructor, to be learned by every Young Fellow, before he can know the world. 1795 J. Rose (title), A Constitutional Catechism, adapted to all ranks and capacities. 1806 Dalbiac (title), A Military Catechism for the use of young Officers. 1844 Regul. & Ord. Army 127 These examinations are to be..arranged in the order laid down in a ‘Military Catechism’ which is appended to the ‘Regulations’. 18.. W. Pinnock, Catechisms of the Arts, Sciences, History, Religion, etc. |
4. fig. A course of question and answer; a series or form of interrogatories put to candidates, etc.
| 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, v. i. 144 Honour is a meere Scutcheon, and so ends my Catechisme. 1848–55 Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 327 The catechism by which the lords lieutenants had been directed to test the sentiments of the country gentlemen consisted of three questions. Mod. The candidate met the electors and was put through his catechism. |
5. attrib.
| 1637 Heylin Answ. Burton 167 A Catechisme Lecture of some two houres long. |