disciple

dis·ci·ple

noun \di-ˈsī-pəl\

Definition of DISCIPLE

1

: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as

a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts

b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual

2

capitalized : a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the United States in 1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usually baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity

— dis·ci·ple·ship \-ˌship\ noun

Examples of DISCIPLE

1. a disciple of Sigmund Freud
2. <a circle of dedicated disciples who conscientiously wrote down everything the prophet said>

Origin of DISCIPLE

Middle English, from Old English discipul & Anglo-French disciple, from Late Latin and Latin; Late Latin discipulus follower of Jesus Christ in his lifetime, from Latin, pupil

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DISCIPLE

Synonyms

acolyte, adherent, convert, follower, epigone, liege man, partisan (also partizan), pupil, votarist, votary

Antonyms

coryphaeus, leader

Related Words

apostle, missionary, proselytizer, soldier; faithful, loyalist; advocate, backer, champion, supporter; protégé, scholar, student; ideologist, ideologue (also idealogue), sectarian; admirer, cultist, devotee, enthusiast, fan, idolater (or idolator), worshipper (or worshiper), zealot; apparatchik, camp follower, flunky (also flunkey or flunkie), hanger-on, henchman, lackey, lickspittle, minion, myrmidon, satellite, stooge, sycophant, toady, yes-man

Near Antonyms

apostate, defector, renegade, traitor, turncoat

See Synonym Discussion at follower