catechist

[ kat-i-kist ]

/ ˈkæt ɪ kɪst /

noun

Ecclesiastical. a person appointed to instruct catechumens in the principles of religion as a preparation for baptism.

Nearby words

Origin of catechist

1555–65; < Late Latin catēchista < Greek katēchistḗs, equivalent to katēch(eîn) to teach by word of mouth, orig. to din down, i.e. to get results by shouting (kat- cata- + ēcheîn to sound) + istēs -ist

Related formscat·e·chis·tic, cat·e·chis·ti·cal, adjectivecat·e·chis·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·cat·e·chis·tic, adjectivenon·cat·e·chis·ti·cal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for catechist

Though too young to be ordained, he assisted Mr. Johnson as a catechist and schoolmaster at Fairfield.
The Loyalists of Massachusetts|James H. Stark
He is the creator of all things, and a pure spirit, answered the Christian catechist.
The Catholic World. Volume III; Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.|E. Rameur
In 1741, when the catechist left the island, she made him bearer of letters to her law-agent, Hope of Rankeillor.
Literary Tours in The Highlands and Islands of Scotland|Daniel Turner Holmes
“Jupiter is longsuffering to the benighted,” returned the catechist.
Fables|Robert Louis Stevenson

Let me add to this Archdeacon Bather's account of how he became a catechist.
The Sabbath-School Index|Richard Gay Pardee

Word Origin and History for catechist

catechist

1560s, from Church Latin catechista, from Greek katekhistes "one who catechizes," from katekhizein "to teach orally" (see catechize). Related: Catechistic; catechistical.