apprentice

[ uh-pren-tis ]

noun

1. a person who works for another in order to learn a trade:

   an apprentice to a plumber.

2. History/Historical. a person legally bound through indenture to a master craftsman in order to learn a trade.
3. a learner; novice; tyro.
4. U.S. Navy. an enlisted person receiving specialized training.
5. a jockey with less than one year's experience who has won fewer than 40 races.

verb (used with object)

, ap·pren·ticed, ap·pren·tic·ing.

1. to bind to or place with an employer, master craftsman, or the like, for instruction in a trade.

verb (used without object)

, ap·pren·ticed, ap·pren·tic·ing.

1. to serve as an apprentice:

   He apprenticed for 14 years under a master silversmith.

apprentice

/ əˈprɛntɪs /

noun

1. someone who works for a skilled or qualified person in order to learn a trade or profession, esp for a recognized period
2. any beginner or novice

verb

1. tr to take, place, or bind as an apprentice

Derived Forms

• apˈprenticeˌship, noun

Other Words From

• ap·pren·tice·ship noun
• un·ap·pren·ticed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apprentice¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ap(p)rentis, from Anglo-French, Old French ap(p)rentiz, from unattested Vulgar Latin apprenditīcius, equivalent to unattested apprendit(us) (for Latin apprehēnsus; apprehensible ) + Latin -īcius suffix forming adjectives from past participles, here nominalized

Word History and Origins

Origin of apprentice¹

C14: from Old French aprentis, from Old French aprendre to learn, from Latin apprehendere to apprehend

Related Words

• pupil