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

Neither of them ever made a public profession of religion, but they were careful to observe external ordinances, catechize their children, and give religious instruction.

From War Inconsistent with the Religion of Jesus Christ by Dodge, David Low

Let a person catechize his own experiences on this subject: it will have a salutary effect.

From Revisiting the Earth by Hill, James Langdon

This said, he set himself to catechize me that same hour; and it came to pass that when he breathed on my face,790 straightway I felt better.

From Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England by Bede, Cuthbert

In a moment the car was again in motion, but the driver, a man of fifty or thereabouts, found time to catechize his guest.

From The Bail Jumper by Stead, Robert J. C.