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novitiate

 - 3 dictionary results

no⋅vi⋅ti⋅ate

  [noh-vish-ee-it, -eyt]
Use novitiate in a Sentence
–noun
1. the state or period of being a novice of a religious order or congregation.
2. the quarters occupied by religious novices during probation.
3. the state or period of being a beginner in anything.
4. a novice.
Also, no⋅vi⋅ci⋅ate.

Origin:
1590–1600; < ML, equiv. to novīti(us) novice + -ātus -ate 3
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To novitiate
nov·ice   (nŏv'ĭs)   
n.  

  1. A person new to a field or activity; a beginner.

  2. A person who has entered a religious order but has not yet taken final vows. Also called novitiate.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin novīcius, from Latin, recently entered into a condition, from Latin novus, new; see newo- in Indo-European roots.]
no·vi·ti·ate also no·vi·ci·ate   (nō-vĭsh'ē-ĭt, -āt')   
n.  

  1. The period of being a novice.

  2. A place where novices live.

  3. See novice.


[Medieval Latin novīciātus, from novīcius, novice; see novice.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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