cate

{ } a. [ Gr. &unr_;. See Catechise. ] Relating to or consisting in, asking questions and receiving answers, according to the ancient manner of teaching. [ 1913 Webster ]

Socrates introduced a catechetical method of arguing. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a catechetical manner; by question and answer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The science or practice of instructing by questions and answers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) One of the tannic acids (C15H14O6), extracted from catechu as a white, crystalline substance; -- called also catechuic acid, catechinic acid, cyanidol, and catechuin. It is a flavonoid found generally in higher woody plants, and is used in dyeing and tanning. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. [ LL. catechizatio. ] The act of catechising. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Catechised p. pr. & vb. n. Catechising. ] [ L. catechizare, Gr. &unr_;, equiv. to &unr_; to resound, sound a thing into one's ears, impress it upon one by word of mouth; &unr_; + &unr_; to sound, &unr_; a sound. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To instruct by asking questions, receiving answers, and offering explanations and corrections, -- esp. in regard to points of religious faith. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To question or interrogate; to examine or try by questions; -- sometimes with a view to reproof, by eliciting from a person answers which condemn his own conduct. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who catechises. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. catechismus, fr. Gr. See Catechise. ] 1. A form of instruction by means of questions and answers. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Jews, even till this day, have their catechisms. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Larger Catechism,
The Shorter Catechism. See Westminster Assembly, under Assembly. [ 1913 Webster ]