Apprentice, n. [OE. apprentice, prentice, OF. aprentis, nom. of aprentif, fr. apprendare to learn, L. apprendere, equiv. to apprehendere, to take hold of (by the mind), to comprehend. See Apprehend, Prentice.].

One who is bound by indentures or by legal agreement to serve a mechanic, or other person, for a certain time, with a view to learn the art, or trade, in which his master is bound to instruct him. [1913 Webster]
One not well versed in a subject; a tyro. [1913 Webster]
A barrister, considered a learner of law till of sixteen years' standing, when he might be called to the rank of serjeant. Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

Apprentice, v. t.

To bind to, or put under the care of, a master, for the purpose of instruction in a trade or business. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

Apprentice, n. & v.
--n.
1 a person who is learning a trade by being employed in it for an agreed period at low wages.
2 a beginner; a novice.
--v.tr. (usu. foll. by to) engage or bind as an apprentice (was apprenticed to a builder).

Derivative

apprenticeship n.

Etymology

ME f. OF aprentis f. apprendre learn (as APPREHEND), after words in -tis, -tif, f. L -tivus: see -IVE

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THESAURUS

Apprentice

abecedarian, alphabetarian, amateur, ancestors, apprenticed, architect, article, articled, articled clerk, artificer, artisan, artist, author, baby, begetter, beginner, bind, bind over, boot, bound over, break, break in, breed, bring up, builder, catechumen, colt, conceiver, condition, constructor, contract, craftsman, craftswoman, creator, cultivate, deb, debutant, designer, develop, deviser, discipline, discoverer, drill, effector, engenderer, engineer, entrant, executor, executrix, exercise, father, fetch up, fit, fledgling, form, foster, founder, freshman, generator, greenhorn, greeny, groom, grower, handicraftsman, house-train, housebreak, ignoramus, improve, inaugurator, indenture, indentured, inductee, industrialist, infant, initiate, initiator, instigator, institutor, introducer, inventor, journeyman, learner, lick into shape, maker, manufacturer, master, master carpenter, master craftsman, mechanic, mother, neophyte, nestling, new boy, newcomer, novice, novitiate, nurse, nurture, organizer, originator, past master, planner, postulant, practice, precursor, prentice, prepare, prime mover, probationer, probationist, producer, put in tune, put to school, raise, raiser, raw recruit, ready, realizer, rear, recruit, rehearse, rookie, send to school, shaper, sire, smith, starter, take in hand, technician, tenderfoot, train, trainee, tyro, wright

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ROGET THESAURUS

Apprentice

Learner

N learner, scholar, student, pupil, apprentice, prentice, journeyman, articled clerk, beginner, tyro, amateur, rank amateur, abecedarian, alphabetarian, alumnus, eleve, recruit, raw recruit, novice, neophyte, inceptor, catechumen, probationer, seminarian, chela, fellow-commoner, debutant, intern, resident, schoolboy, fresh, freshman, frosh, junior soph, junior, senior soph, senior, sophister, sophomore, questionist, undergraduate, graduate student, law student, medical student, pre-med, post-doctoral student, post-doc, matriculated student, part-time student, night student, auditor, class, grade, seminar, form, remove, pupilage, disciple, follower, apostle, proselyte, fellow-student, condisciple, school, in statu pupillari, in leading strings, practise makes perfect.

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