Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Catechumen \Cat"e*chu`men\, n. [L. catechunenus, Gr. ?
   instructed, from ?. See {Catechise}.] (Eccl.)
   One who is receiving rudimentary instruction in the doctrines
   of Christianity; a neophyte; in the primitive church, one
   officially recognized as a Christian, and admitted to
   instruction preliminary to admission to full membership in
   the church.

Source : WordNet®

catechumen
     n : a new convert being taught the principles of Christianity by
         a catechist [syn: {neophyte}]