catechize

American  

[kat-i-kahyz] / ˈkæt ɪˌkaɪz /

especially British, catechise

verb (used with object)

catechized, catechizing

1. to instruct orally by means of questions and answers, especially in Christian doctrine.

2. to question with reference to belief.

3. to question closely.

   Synonyms:

   probe, examine, quiz, interrogate

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catechize British  

/ ˈkætɪˌkaɪz /

verb

1. to teach or examine by means of questions and answers

2. to give oral instruction in Christianity, esp by using a catechism

3. to put questions to (someone)

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Other Word Forms

• catechist noun
• catechistic adjective
• catechistically adverb
• catechizable adjective
• catechization noun
• catechizer noun
• uncatechized adjective

Etymology

Origin of catechize

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin catēchizāre < Greek katēchízein to make (someone) learn by teaching orally, equivalent to katēch ( eîn ) to teach orally ( catechist ) + -izein -ize

Example Sentences

Then the Cardinal began to catechize the priest who had once been an assistant to his secretariat.

From Time Magazine Archive

I must catechize you for it, madonna: Good my mouse of virtue, answer me.

From Twelfth Night or, What You Will by Kemble, J P

And thus it belongs to the ministers to catechize.

From Summa Theologica, Part III (Tertia Pars) From the Complete American Edition by Thomas, Aquinas, Saint

And he set himself at once, not to catechize the bank's ward about her expenditures, but to interest the girl in himself.

From Clark's Field by Herrick, Robert

There was service again in the afternoon, when the very reverend gentleman was wont to catechize.

From Pretty Michal by Jókai, Mór