Part 114

Catch"ment (?), n. A surface of ground on which water may be caught and collected into a reservoir.

Catch"pen*ny (?), a. Made or contrived for getting small sums of money from the ignorant or unwary; as, a catchpenny book; a catchpenny show. -- n. Some worthless catchpenny thing.

Catch"poll` (?), n. [OF. chacepol, chacipol.] A bailiff's assistant.

{ Catch"up (?), Cat"sup (?) }, n. [Probably of East Indian origin, because it was originally a kind of East Indian pickles.] A table sauce made from mushrooms, tomatoes, walnuts, etc. [Written also ketchup.]

Catch"wa`ter (?), n. A ditch or drain for catching water. See Catchdrain.

Catch"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) See Cleavers.

Catch"weight` (?), adv. (Horseracing) Without any additional weight; without being handicapped; as, to ride catchweight.

Catch"word` (?), n. 1. Among theatrical performers, the last word of the preceding speaker, which reminds one that he is to speak next; cue.

2. (Print.) The first word of any page of a book after the first, inserted at the right hand bottom corner of the preceding page for the assistance of the reader. It is seldom used in modern printing.

3. A word or phrase caught up and repeated for effect; as, the catchword of a political party, etc.

Catch"work` (?), n. A work or artificial water-course for throwing water on lands that lie on the slopes of hills; a catchdrain.

Cate (?), n. Food. [Obs.] See Cates.

{ Cat`e*chet"ic (?), Cat`e*chet"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?;. See Catechise.] Relating to or consisting in, asking questions and receiving answers, according to the ancient manner of teaching.

Socrates introduced a catechetical method of arguing. Addison.

Cat`e*chet"ic*al*ly, adv. In a catechetical manner; by question and answer.

Cat`e*chet"ics (?), n. The science or practice of instructing by questions and answers.

Cat"e*chin (?), n. (Chem.) One of the tannic acids, extracted from catechu as a white, crystalline substance; -- called also catechuic acid, and catechuin.

Cat`e*chi*sa"tion (?), n. [LL. catechizatio.] The act of catechising.

Cat"e*chise (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Catechised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Catechising.] [L. catechizare, Gr. &?;, equiv. to &?; to resound, sound a thing into one's ears, impress it upon one by word of mouth; &?; + &?; to sound, &?; a sound.]

1. To instruct by asking questions, receiving answers, and offering explanations and corrections, -- esp. in regard to points of religious faith.

2. To question or interrogate; to examine or try by questions; -- sometimes with a view to reproof, by eliciting from a person answers which condemn his own conduct. Swift.

Cat"e*chi`ser (kăt"&esl;*kī`z&etilde;r), n. One who catechises.

Cat"e*chism (-k&ibreve;z'm), n. [L. catechismus, fr. Gr. See Catechise.] 1. A form of instruction by means of questions and answers.

2. A 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.

The Larger Catechism, The Shorter Catechism. See Westminster Assembly, under Assembly.

Cat`e*chis"mal (?), a. Of or pertaining to a catechism, having the form of questions and answers; catechetical.

Cat"e*chist (kăt"&esl;*k&ibreve;st), n. [L. catechista, fr. Gr.] One who instructs by question and answer, especially in religions matters.