in its primary sense, an instruction, or institution, in the principles of the Christian religion, delivered viva voce, and so as to require frequent repetitions, from the disciple or hearer, of what has been said. The word is formed from κατηχεῖν, a compound of κατά and ἐχειν, q. d. circumsono; alluding to the noise or din made in this sort of exercise, or to the zeal and earnestness wherewith things are to be inculcated over and over on the learners.—Anciently the candidates for baptism were only to be instructed in the secrets of their religion by tradition, viva voce, without writing; as had also been the case among the Egyptian priests, and the British and Gaulish druids, who only communicated the mysteries of their theology by word of mouth.

CATECHISM is more frequently used in modern times for an elementary book, wherein the principal articles of religion are summarily delivered in the way of questions and answers.