catechesis
UK[ˌkætɪˈkiːsɪs]US[ˌkætəˈkiːsɪs]
n
religious instruction given to a person in preparation for christian baptism or confirmation, typically using a catechism.
n
the process of oral instruction, especially in the basics of christian doctrine.
Morpheme Breakdown
cate
echesis
cate
thoroughly
echesis
sounding
Etymology
the word 'catechesis' originates from the greek term 'katēchēsis', which itself derives from the verb 'katēchein'. this verb is a compound of 'kata-' (meaning 'down' or 'thoroughly') and 'ēchein' (meaning 'to sound, to ring'). the literal sense was 'to make a sound down into' or 'to resound', metaphorically evolving into 'to instruct orally' by causing teaching to resonate in the listener's ears. this pedagogical concept entered late latin as 'catechesis', specifically denoting oral religious instruction, a meaning preserved in ecclesiastical latin and subsequently adopted into english. the modern abstract meaning retains this core idea of thorough, resonant, question-and-answer instruction in religious fundamentals.
Analysis
Structure: cate (thoroughly) + echesis (sounding)
cate (from greek kata, meaning 'down, thoroughly, according to'); echesis (from greek ēchēsis, meaning 'a sounding, resonance', from ēchein 'to sound').
Examples
the priest dedicated years to the catechesis of new converts.
the bishop emphasized the importance of catechesis for the youth before their confirmation.
her role in the parish involved developing materials for adult catechesis.