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

Surely," he exclaimed hastily, "I've no right to catechize you.

From The Galaxy Vol. XXIII?March, 1877.?No. 3 by Various

Fletcher, however, still found means to catechize the children and to hold meetings in private.

From Fletcher of Madeley by Macdonald, Frederic W.

"I have no right to catechize Lady Gwendolen," said he.

From When Ghost Meets Ghost by De Morgan, William Frend

He; was ordered to subject and catechize the natives.

From History of the Spanish Conquest of Yucatan and of the Itzas Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology, Hard University. Vol. VII. by Means, Philip Ainsworth