c. 1500, "instruction in Christian principles," also "elementary question-and-answer book of religious instruction," from French catéchisme (14c.) and directly from Church Latin catechismus "book of instruction," from Greek katekhismos, from katekhizein"teach orally, instruct by word of mouth," from katekhein "to resound" (see catechesis). Related: Catechismal.
