- A book giving a brief summary of the basic principles of Christianity in question-and-answer form.
- A manual giving basic instruction in a subject, usually by rote or repetition.
- A body of fundamental principles or beliefs, especially when accepted uncritically: “the core of the catechism of the antinuclear left, the notion that the threat to peace is technological, not political” (George F. Will).
- A close questioning or examination, as of a political figure.
[French catechisme, from Old French, from Late Latin catēchismus, from Late Greek katēkhismos, from katēkhizein, to teach by word of mouth. See catechize.]
