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Word of the Day Archive
Tuesday January 30, 2001

neophyte \NEE-uh-fyt\, noun:
1. A new convert or proselyte.
2. A novice; a beginner in anything.

I was a complete neophyte and knew nothing about the choreographic process, but seeing the steps pour out of this man was a revelation.
-- Edward Villella, "Remembering Balanchine as the Boss", New York Times, January 26, 1992

She, the neophyte, with as yet no experience of this, had settled eagerly to the task.
-- Anita Brookner, Falling Slowly

As a neophyte in politics, I didn't understand that ducking the issues was the goal of most campaigns.
-- Pat Schroeder, 24 Years of House Work . . . and the Place Is Still a Mess

Neophyte comes from Late Latin neophytus, from Greek neophutos, "newly planted," from neo-, "new" + phutos, "planted," from phuein, "to grow, to bring forth."

Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation for neophyte

 

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