Word of the Day Archive
Monday February 3, 2003
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
