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catechize

 - 3 dictionary results

cat⋅e⋅chize

  [kat-i-kahyz]
Use catechize in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -chized, -chiz⋅ing.
1. to instruct orally by means of questions and answers, esp. in Christian doctrine.
2. to question with reference to belief.
3. to question closely.
Also, especially British, cat⋅e⋅chise.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < LL catēchizāre < Gk katēchízein to make (someone) learn by teaching orally, equiv. to katēch(eîn) to teach orally (see catechist ) + -izein -ize

Related forms:
cat⋅e⋅chiz⋅a⋅ble, adjective
cat⋅e⋅chi⋅za⋅tion, noun
cat⋅e⋅chiz⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
3. interrogate, quiz, examine, probe.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cat·e·chize   (kāt'ĭ-kīz')   
tr.v.   cat·e·chized, cat·e·chiz·ing, cat·e·chiz·es

  1. To teach the principles of Christian dogma, discipline, and ethics by means of questions and answers.

  2. To question or examine closely or methodically: "Boswell was eternally catechizing him on all kinds of subjects" (Thomas Macaulay).


[Middle English catecizen, from Old French catechiser, from Medieval Latin catēchizāre, from Late Greek katēkhizein, from Greek katēkhein : kata-, down, off, out; see cata- + ēkhein, to sound (from ēkhē, sound).]
cat'e·chi·za'tion (-kĭ-zā'shən) n., cat'e·chiz'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

catechize 
c.1449, from L. catechizare, from Gk. katechizein "teach orally, instruct by word of mouth," from kata "thoroughly" + echein "to sound." Catechism "book of questions and answers about religion" is first attested 1509. Catechumen "new convert" is 15c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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