a. [f. as prec. + -AL.] Of or pertaining to the office, teaching, or method of instruction of a catechist, or of the catechism he expounds; consisting of question and answer. Cf. CATECHETICAL.
1618. Hales, Lett., in Gold. Rem. (1688), 386. The custom is in Catechistical Sermons … to take … a portion of the Catechism for their Text and Theme.
1662. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 432. His flock was … well bottomed on catechistical divinity.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., III. I. i. (1852), 259. He thrice went over the body of divinity in a catechistical way.
1835. Blackw. Mag., XXXVIII. 641. The catechistical method.
Hence Catechistically adv.
1645. Ussher (title), A Body of Divinity, or The summe and substance of Christian Religion: Catechistically propounded and explained, by way of Question and Answer.
1692. South, Serm. (1844), III. v. 218 (R.). The principles of Christianity, briefly and catechistically taught them, is enough to save their souls.
