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)
Derived forms
catechist (ˈcatechist) or catechizer (ˈcateˌchizer) or catechiser (ˈcateˌchiser)
noun
catechistic (ˌcateˈchistic) or catechistical (ˌcateˈchistical)
adjective
catechistically (ˌcateˈchistically)
adverb
catechization (ˌcatechiˈzation) or catechisation (ˌcatechiˈsation)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Late Latin catēchizāre, from Greek katēkhizein, from katēkhein to instruct orally, literally: to shout down, from kata- down + ēkhein to sound
catechize in American English
(ˈkætəˌkaɪz)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcateˌchized or ˈcateˌchizing
1.
to teach, esp. in the principles of religion, by the method of questions and answers
2.
to question searchingly or fully
Also sp.
SIMILAR WORDS: ask
Derived forms
catechization (ˌcatechiˈzation) (ˈkætəkɪˈzeɪʃən)
noun
catechizer (ˈcateˌchizer)
noun
Word origin
ME catecizen < LL(Ec) catechizare < Gr katēchizein: see catechetical
Synonyms of 'catechize'
question, examine, drill, grill
More Synonyms of catechize
(verb)
Definition
to question (someone) thoroughly
Synonyms
question
A man is being questioned by police.
examine
I was called and examined as a witness.
drill
grill (informal)
interrogate
I interrogated everyone who was even slightly involved.
cross-examine
The accused's lawyers will get a chance to cross-examine him.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of cross-examine
Definition
to question closely or relentlessly
The accused's lawyers will get a chance to cross-examine him.
Synonyms
question,
grill (informal),
quiz,
interrogate,
catechize,
pump
in the sense of examine
Definition
to formally question someone on oath
I was called and examined as a witness.
Synonyms
question,
quiz,
interrogate,
cross-examine,
grill (informal),
give the third degree to (informal)
in the sense of interrogate
Definition
to question (someone) closely
I interrogated everyone who was even slightly involved.