I. ˈkad.əˌkizəm, -atə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin catechismus, probably from catechizare to catechize, after such pairs as Late Latin christianizare to profess Christianity: christianismus Christianity
1. : oral instruction
teaches his history class and interrupts his catechism only with random thoughts on the boys — W.P.Jones
2. : a manual or guide for catechizing (as for moral and religious instruction) sometimes in the form of a comprehensive summary of doctrine and often in the form of questions and answers
3.
a. : a series of questions with officially correct answers ; especially : a set of formal questions with such answers put as a test
b. : a series of questions
II. noun
: something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement