[L., a. Gr. κατήχησις instruction by word of mouth, n. of action f. κατηχεῖν to instruct orally, orig. to resound, sound amiss, ‘din one’s ears,’ f. κατά down, thoroughly, etc. + ἠχεῖν to sound, ring.]
1. Oral instruction given to catechumens; catechizing.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., In the antient church catechesis was an instruction given, viva voce, either to children, or adult Heathens, preparatory to their receiving of baptism.
1845. R. W. Hamilton, Pop. Educ., vi. (ed. 2), 135. The little community shall become the Bible class and be addicted to a Bible catechesis.
2. A book for catechetical instruction, spec. the name of a work of St. Cyril of Jerusalem.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., The catecheses of St. Cyril, are the principal work of that father.
1849. W. Fitzgerald, trans. Whitaker’s Disput., 597. How far he is from approving unwritten traditions, he shews plainly in the fourth Catechesis.
