Hai!
Sunday, 4th May 2008 : Today's Word is ...
Neophyte
( Noun )
Pronunciation : neo-fit
Definition:
1. a recent convert to a religion
2. a new resident of a religious community who has not yet taken vows
3. Roman Catholic Church : A newly ordained priest
4. any new participant in some activity
Etymology:
Middle English - from Late Latin neophytus - from Greek neophutos : neo-, neo- + -phutos, planted (from phuein, to bring forth)
Synonyms:
novice, beginner, recruit, tenderfoot, learner, trainee, raw recruit, newcomer, greenhorn, amateur, rookie, apprentice, tyro
Antonyms:
experienced
Contextual Examples:
• The campaign went badly as the candidate was a neophyte at politics.
• He is a neophyte at politics.
• But with all the ardour of a neophyte and the pride of an apt learner I was at that time a great nautical casuist.
• Her whole soul was possessed by the fact that a fuller life was opening before her: she was a neophyte about to enter on a higher grade of initiation.
• A neophyte might have fancied that the ripples passing over it were dreadfully like faint changes of expression on a sightless face; but Gaffer was no neophyte and had no fancies.
• I was a complete neophyte and knew nothing about the choreographic process, but seeing the steps pour out of this man was a revelation.
• She, the neophyte, with as yet no experience of this, had settled eagerly to the task.
• As a neophyte in politics, I didn't understand that ducking the issues was the goal of most campaigns.
Related Words:
• neophytic : Adjective
• neophytish : Adjective
• neophytism : Noun
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