Catechize

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈkætɪkaɪz/
• RP IPA: /ˈkatɪkaɪz/
• Hyphenation: cat + e + chize, Hyphenation: cat + ech + ize

Alternative forms

• (UK) catechise

Origin

From Latin catechizare, from Ancient Greek κατηχίζειν, from κατηχέω (katēkheō, "to teach (orally)"), from κατά (kata, "down") + ἠχέω (ēcheō, "to sound, to resound").

Full definition of catechize

Verb

1. To give oral instruction, especially of religion; now specifically by the formal question-and-answer method; in the Church of England, to teach the catechism as preparation for confirmation.
2. To question at length.
• 1910, Saki, ‘The Soul of Laploshka’, Reginald in Russia:Putting a strong American inflection into the French which I usually talked with an unmistakeable British accent, I catechized the Baron as to the date of the church's building, its dimensions, and other details which an American tourist would be certain to want to know.