catechumen

noun

cat·​e·​chu·​men ˌka-tə-ˈkyü-mən 

1

: a convert to Christianity receiving training in doctrine and discipline before baptism

2

: one receiving instruction in the basic doctrines of Christianity before admission to communicant membership in a church

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cathecumyn, from Late Latin catechumenus, from Greek katēchoumenos, present passive participle of katēchein

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1