Meaning

noun a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views

noun an elementary book summarizing the principles of a Christian religion; written as questions and answers

originFrom Late Latin catechismus, from Ancient Greek *κατηχισμός (*katēkhismós), from κατηχίζω (katēkhízō, “to catechize”), a later extended form of κατηχέω (katēkhéō, “to catechize, instruct, teach by word of mouth”), from κατά (katá, “down”) + ἠχέω (ēkhéō, “to sound, resound”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0