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novitiate

noun no·vi·tiate \ nō-ˈvi-shət , nə- \

Definition of novitiate

1 : the period or state of being a novice
2 : a house where novices are trained
3 : novice

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Examples of novitiate in a Sentence

  1. a novitiate in the rarefied world of international diplomacy, the recently appointed ambassador is treading cautiously

Recent Examples of novitiate from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'novitiate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of novitiate

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French noviciat "period of being a novice," borrowed from Medieval Latin novīciātus, from Late Latin novīcius novice + Latin -ātus 2-ate

novitiate Synonyms

Synonyms

apprentice, babe, beginner, colt, cub, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, punk, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro;

Antonyms

old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran;

Near Antonyms

expert, master, pro, professional;

Related Words

boot;

amateur, dabbler, dilettante;

learner, student, trainee;

candidate, entrant, probationer;

NOVITIATE Defined for English Language Learners

novitiate

noun

Definition of novitiate for English Language Learners

  • : the time when a person is a religious novice

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  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for novitiate

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