neophyte
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Latin neophytus from Ancient Greek νεόφυτος (neophutos) from νέος (neos), “‘new’”) + φυτόν (phuton), “‘plant, child’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
neophyte (plural neophytes)
- A beginner.
- A novice (recent convert), a new convert or proselyte.
- (Christianity) A name given by the early Christians, and still given by the Roman Catholics, to those who have recently embraced the Christian faith, and been admitted to baptism, especially those converts from heathenism or Judaism.
- (biology) A plant species recently introduced to an area (in contrast to archaeophyte, a long-established introduced species).
[edit] Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:beginner
[edit] Translations
novice (recent convert)
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[edit] References
- Random House Dictionary, 2nd Edition, 1987.