Căt'e-chĭsm, n.

(kăt'e-kĭzm), n. [Lat. catechismus, Gr. κατηχισμός, instruction.]

1. A form of instruction by means of questions and answers.
2. An elementary book containing a summary of principles, especially of religious doctrine, reduced to the form of questions and answers.

The Jews, even till this day, have their catechisms. Hooker.