a. Also 7 -call. [f. as prec. + -AL.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or connected with catechetics or catechesis; pertaining to instruction in the elementary principles of Christianity.
1624. Gataker, Transubst., 43. To omit Cyril of Jerusalem his Catecheticall Sermons.
1702. Echard, Eccl. Hist. (1710), 515. In this city was a famous catechetical school for training persons up in divine knowledge.
1882. Farrar, Early Chr., I. 279. The great catechetical School of Alexandria, which claimed as its founder the Evangelist St. Mark.
2. Of, pertaining to, or in accordance with the catechism of a church.
1618. Hales, Lett., in Golden Rem. (1688), 386. There should be observed a threefold Catechizing.… A third in the Church by Catechetical Sermons.
1726. Amherst, Terræ Filius, xlix. 266. A considerable sum to buy advowsons of livings, and to maintain a catechetical lecture.
1849. J. Brown, J. Fisher, ii. 17, note. To show that he preached catechetical doctrine.
3. Resembling the method of instruction by questions and answers, as in the catechism; ‘consisting of questions and answers’ (J.).
1691. Bp. Worcester, Charge, 18. The true Grounds of Religion; which are easiest learn’d, and understood, and remembered in the short Catechetical Way.
1704. Nelson, Fest. & Fasts (1739), Pref. 17. To throw the whole Subject … into a catechetical Form.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 239, ¶ 3. Socrates introduced a catechetical Method of Arguing. He would ask his Adversary Question upon Question, till he had convinced him out of his own Mouth that his Opinions were wrong.
1845. R. W. Hamilton, Pop. Educ., iv. (ed. 2), 65. Stout advocates of catechetical methods and forms.
Hence Catechetically adv., in a catechetical manner; in the authoritative manner of a catechism.
1730–6. in Bailey.
a. 1834. Lamb, Misc. Wks. (1871), 451. To pronounce, dogmatically and catechetically, who was the richest … man that ever lived.
1842. G. S. Faber, Provincial Lett. (1844), II. 28. All those who had been catechetically instructed and duly baptised.
