catechumen

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A convert to Christianity under instruction before baptism; a young or recent Christian preparing for confirmation.

Pronunciation

/ˌkæt.ɪˈkjuː.mɛn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-catechumen.wav /ˌkæt.əˈkju.mən/

Word forms

catechumen catechumens

Etymology

From Middle English cathecumynys pl, from Middle French cathecumin (modern French catéchumène) or Ecclesiastical Latin catēchūmenus, itself a borrowing from Ancient Greek κατηχούμενος (katēkhoúmenos, “being instructed”), present participle passive of κατηχέω (katēkhéō, “sound through, instruct orally, catechise”), from κατά (katá, “down”) + ἠχή (ēkhḗ, “sound”).

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