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Origin and history of catechize

catechize(v.)

"instruct orally by asking questions and receiving answers" (and offering explanations and corrections), especially "to instruct on Christian doctrine," early 15c., from Church Latin catechizare "to teach by word of mouth" (also source of French catéchiser, Spanish catequizar, Italian catechizzare), from Greek katēkhizein "teach orally, instruct by word of mouth," from katēkhein "to resound" (see catechesis). Related: Catechized; catechizing.

Entries linking to catechize

"oral instruction, catechism," 1753, from Latinized form of Greek katēkhesis "instruction by word of mouth," from katēkhein "to instruct orally," originally "to resound" (with sense evolution via "to sound (something) in someone's ear" to "to teach by word of mouth"). This is from kata "down" (in this case, "thoroughly;" see cata-) + ēkhein "to sound, ring," from ēkhē "sound" (see echo (n.)).

chiefly British English spelling of catechize; for suffix, see -ize. Related: Catechised; catechising.

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