Definition of catechism
1
: oral instruction
2
: a manual for catechizing (see catechize sense 1)
specifically
: a summary of religious doctrine often in the form of questions and answers
3a
: a set of formal questions put as a test
b
: something resembling a catechism especially in being a rote response or formulaic statement
The cook often consulted the latest nutritional catechism for advice.
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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The first known use of catechism was in 1502
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