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

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.

You could not tell me her name: all you had to go on was a voice, and I could hardly catechize him on that.

From The Gay Adventure A Romance by Bird, Richard

But the worst will be to catechize us as if we were witnesses in court.

From The Brightener by Williamson, A. M. (Alice Muriel)

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

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