novitiate

noun no·vi·tiate \nō-ˈvi-shət, nə-\

: the time when a person is a religious novice

Full Definition of NOVITIATE

: the period or state of being a novice

: a house where novices are trained

: novice

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French noviciat, from Medieval Latin noviciatus, from novicius

First Known Use: 1600

Synonyms: abecedarian, apprentice, babe, colt, cub, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, beginner, punk, recruit, rook, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, virgin

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