1. question-and-answer teaching: instruction in the principles of Christianity using set questions and answers
2. religious questions and answers: the series of questions and answers that are used to test somebody's religious knowledge in advance of Christian baptism or confirmation
3. question-and-answer book: a book containing questions and answers used to test the religious knowledge of somebody preparing for Christian baptism or confirmation
4. book for rote learning: a handbook that teaches the basic principles of a subject, especially by repetition
5. body of principles followed unthinkingly: a body of basic beliefs and principles followed unthinkingly
6. interrogation: a close and intense session of questioning on a particular subject, especially forming part of an examination or an interrogation
[Early 16th century. < ecclesiastical Latin catechismus< ecclesiastical Greek katēkhizein (see catechize)]
