catechumen

[ kat-i-kyoo-muhn ]

noun

1. Ecclesiastical. a person under instruction in the rudiments of Christianity, as in the early church; a neophyte.
2. a person being taught the elementary facts, principles, etc., of any subject.

catechumen

/ ˌkætɪˈkjuːmɛn; ˌkætəkjʊˈmɛnɪkəl /

noun

1. Christianity a person, esp in the early Church, undergoing instruction prior to baptism

Derived Forms

• ˌcateˈchumenism, noun
• ˌcateˈchumenate, noun
• ˌcateˈchumenal, adjective

Other Words From

• cate·chume·nal cat·e·chu·men·i·cal [kat-i-kyoo-, men, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• cate·chu·meni·cal·ly adverb
• cat·e·chu·me·nate [kat-i-, kyoo, -m, uh, -neyt, -nit], noun
• cate·chumen·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechumen¹

1325–75; < Late Latin catēchūmenus < Greek katēchoúmenos (one who is) being taught orally, equivalent to katēche-, stem of katēcheîn to teach orally ( catechist ) + -omenos middle present participle suffix; replacing Middle English cathecumyn < Middle French cathecumine < Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of catechumen¹

C15: via Old French, from Late Latin, from Greek katēkhoumenos one being instructed verbally, from katēkhein; see catechize

Example Sentences

And this much, we believe, should be demanded of each catechumen before he is admitted to the rite of confirmation.

From Project Gutenberg

The missionary found no one who did not give a high encomium to the young catechumen.

From Project Gutenberg

Onesimus had not been baptised with them, though he had learnt something of Christianity as a young catechumen.

From Project Gutenberg

In the opinion of prominent theologians, a mere catechumen can, under certain circumstances, be a member of the Church.

From Project Gutenberg

The grey-haired patriarch laid his hand upon the new catechumen's head, and the dying God looked in benediction upon them all.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adherent
• apostle
• cohort
• devotee
• enthusiast
• fanatic
• learner
• pupil
• zealot