a form of instruction by means of questions and answers, particularly in the principles of religion. The word is formed from κατηχεῖν, a compound of κατά and ἐχειν, q.d. circumsono, alluding to the noise made in this sort of exercise. Anciently the candidates for baptism were only instructed in the secrets of their religion by tradition, circa reoe, without writing; as had also been the case among the Egyptian priests, and the British and Gaulish druids, who thus communicated the mysteries of their theology.

CATECHISM is now generally used to denote an elementary book in which the principles of religion are summarily delivered by means of questions and answers.