| 释义 |
catechism|ˈkætɪkɪzm|
Forms: 6 (?) catechyzon, cathecysme, chatechisme, 6–7 catechisme, 6– catechism.
[ad. L. catēchismus (in med.L. also cathecismus), on Gr. type *κατηχισµός (n. of action f. κατηχίζ-ειν) taken as = κατήχησις; see catechesis. Cf. F. catéchisme.]
†1. Catechetical instruction; catechesis. Obs.
1502Ord. Crysten Men i. ii. (W. de W. 1506) 14 And that suffyseth as now of the exorcysme and cathecysme. 1579Fulke Heskins' Parl. 407 The learners of Catechisme were dismissed after the Lessons that were read. 1600Shakes. A.Y.L. iii. ii. 241 To say I and no, to these particulars, is more then to answer in a Catechisme.
2. An elementary treatise for instruction in the principles of the Christian religion, in the form of question and answer; such a book accepted and issued by a church as an authoritative exposition of its teaching, as the (Church) Catechism, that of the Church of England in the Book of Common Prayer, the Longer Catechism and Shorter Catechisms, of the Westminster Assembly of Divines, used by the Presbyterian churches, etc.
1509J. Collet Foundat. Stat. St. Paul's Sch. in Lib. Cantab. (1855) 452/3 The maister shall..first se, that they can saye the catechyzon [? -yzm]. I will the children learne first above all the catechyzon in Englishe. [1540Cranmer (title), Catechismus; that is to say, a Shorte Instruction into Christian Religion, for the synguler commoditie and profyte of Children and yong people.] 1549Bk. Com. Prayer, A Catechism, that is to say, an Instruction to be learned of every child before he be brought to be confirmed of the Bishop. 1552Abp. Hamilton Catech. 26 Ane Catechisme, that is ane common instruction contenand schortly and plainly thai thingis quhilk ar necessary to tham to ken and keip, to the plesour of God and thair eternal salvation. 1597Pilgr. Parnass. iii. 354 Twoo or three hundreth of chatechismes of Jeneva's printe. 1648(title) The Shorter Catechism, agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster. 1653Walton Angler i. 31 That good, plain, unperplext Catechism, that is printed with the old Service Book. a1711Ken Direct. Prayer Wks. (1838) 339 The doctrine delivered in the Catechism. 1752A. Mair (title), Brief Explication of the Assemblie's Shorter Catechism. 1841–4Emerson Ess. Circles Wks. (Bohn) I. 130 We can never see Christianity from the catechism.
3. transf. A book of instruction in other subjects by question and answer. (In 17th c. chiefly applied to works which parodied the preceding; its serious use and general extension came later.)
a1637B. Jonson Verses on Drayton's Muse (R.) This book! is a catechism to fight And will be bought of every lord and knight, That can but read. 1643Heylin (title), The Rebels Catechism. 1754(title), The Freethinker's Catechism; that is to say an Instructor, to be learned by every Young Fellow, before he can know the world. 1795J. Rose (title), A Constitutional Catechism, adapted to all ranks and capacities. 1806Dalbiac (title), A Military Catechism for the use of young Officers. 1844Regul. & Ord. Army 127 These examinations are to be..arranged in the order laid down in a ‘Military Catechism’ which is appended to the ‘Regulations’. 18..W. Pinnock, Catechisms of the Arts, Sciences, History, Religion, etc.
4. fig. A course of question and answer; a series or form of interrogatories put to candidates, etc.
1596Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, v. i. 144 Honour is a meere Scutcheon, and so ends my Catechisme. 1848–55Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 327 The catechism by which the lords lieutenants had been directed to test the sentiments of the country gentlemen consisted of three questions. Mod. The candidate met the electors and was put through his catechism.
5. attrib.
1637Heylin Answ. Burton 167 A Catechisme Lecture of some two houres long. |