catechetical, a.
(kætɪˈkɛtɪkəl)
Also 7 -call.
[f. as prec. + -al1.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or connected with catechetics or catechesis; pertaining to instruction in the elementary principles of Christianity.
| 1624 Gataker Transubst. 43 To omit Cyril of Jerusalem his Catecheticall Sermons. 1702 Echard Eccl. Hist. (1710) 515 In this city was a famous catechetical school for training persons up in divine knowledge. 1882 Farrar Early Chr. I. 279 The great catechetical school of Alexandria, which claimed as its founder the Evangelist St. Mark. |
2. Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with the catechism of a church.
| 1618 Hales Let. in Golden Rem. (1688) 386 There should be observed a three-fold Catechizing..A third in the Church by Catechetical Sermons. 1726 Amherst Terræ Fil. xlix. 266 A considerable sum to buy advowsons of livings, and to maintain a catechetical lecture. 1849 J. Brown J. Fisher ii. 17 note, To show that he preached catechetical doctrine. |
3. Resembling the method of instruction by questions and answers, as in the catechism; ‘consisting of questions and answers’ (J.).
| 1691 Bp. Worcester Charge 18 The true Grounds of Religion; which are easiest learn'd, and understood, and remembered in the short Catechetical Way. 1704 Nelson Fest. & Fasts (1739) Pref. 17 To throw the whole Subject..into a catechetical Form. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 239 ¶3 Socrates introduced a catechetical Method of Arguing. He would ask his Adversary Question upon Question, till he had convinced him out of his own Mouth that his Opinions were wrong. 1845 R. Hamilton Pop. Educ. iv. (ed. 2) 65 Stout advocates of catechetical methods and forms. |
Hence cateˈchetically adv., in a catechetical manner; in the authoritative manner of a catechism.
| 1730–6 in Bailey. a 1834 Lamb Misc. Wks. (1871) 451 To pronounce, dogmatically and catechetically, who was the richest..man that ever lived. 1842 G. S. Faber Provincial Lett. (1844) II. 28 All those who had been catechetically instructed and duly baptised. |