Also in 7 catechumene, -eumen; in L. form 6 cathecuminus; pl. 6–7 catechumeni, -ini, 7 -any; also 5 cathecumynys, 7 catechumenies. [ad. F. catechumène, ad. L. catēchūmen-us, a. Gr. κατηχούμενος ‘one being instructed (in the rudiments of religion),’ pr. pple. passive of κατηχεῖν: see CATECHESIS. The Latin word was long retained: the modern form, first found after 1600, was not universal till about 1700; the irregular pl. in -ys, -ies occurs in 15th and 17th c.]
1. A new convert under instruction before baptism. Used in reference to the ancient church and in modern missionary churches. Sometimes applied to young Christians generally, and especially to those preparing for the rite of confirmation.
14[?]. Langl., P. Pl., B. XI. 77 (MS. O.). Rather þan to baptise barnes þat ben cathecumynys [v.r. catekumeling].
1502. Ord. Crysten Men, I. i. (W. de W., 1506), 9. And they that duely were cathecuminus, yt is to saye instructe of the artycles of ye fayth.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 246. Theie sate amonge the Cathecumeni.
c. 1615. Lives Women-Saints (1886), 31. A Catechumene, or learner of the faith.
c. 1630. Jackson, Creed, IV. II. vii. Wks. 1673, 765. Take we than one of their Catechumenies.
1642. J. Ball, Answ. to Can, I. 133. Thus they make their catechumine.
1651. Life of Colet, in Fuller’s Abel Rediv., 100. One is for your Catechumany.
1662. Gunning, Lent Fast, 106. Catechumens or Competentes.
1667. Decay Chr. Piety, ix. 303. What brief and plain instructions S. Peter gives his catechumeni.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymnotheo, Wks. 1721, III. 384. He faithful care of Catechumens took.
1837. J. H. Newman, Par. Serm. (1842), VI. xii. 186. Thousands … who are not baptized, yet are virtually catechumens.
1878. Lady Herbert, trans. Hübner’s Ramble, II. vi. 348. He boldly presented himself, with two catechumens, at the court of the Mikado.
attrib. 1887. Contemp. Rev., May, 727. Driblets of religious teaching in catechumen classes and Sunday-schools.
2. transf. One who is being initiated in any set of opinions, science, art, etc.
a. 1751. Bolingbroke, Let. Windham (1889), 119 (T.). The same language is still held to the catechumens in Jacobitism.
