[cat.e.chu.men] n [ME cathecumyn, fr. MF cathecumine, fr. LL catechumenus, fr. Gk katechoumenos, pres. pass. part. of katechein] (15c) 1: a convert to Christianity receiving training in doctrine and discipline before baptism
2: one receiving instruction in the basic doctrines of Christianity before admission to communicant membership in a church