disciple

[ dih-sahy-puhl ]

noun

1. a person who is a pupil or an adherent of the doctrines of another; follower:

   a disciple of Freud.

2. Religion.
   1. one of the 12 personal followers of Christ.
   2. one of the 70 followers sent forth by Christ. Luke 10:1.
   3. any other professed follower of Christ in His lifetime.
3. any follower of Christ.
4. Disciple, a member of the Disciples of Christ.

verb (used with object)

, dis·ci·pled, dis·ci·pling.

1. Archaic. to convert into a disciple.
2. Obsolete. to teach; train.

disciple

/ dɪˈsaɪpəl; dɪˈsɪpjʊlə /

noun

1. a follower of the doctrines of a teacher or a school of thought
2. one of the personal followers of Christ (including his 12 apostles) during his earthly life

Derived Forms

• disˈcipleˌship, noun
• discipular, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·ci·ple·like adjective
• dis·ci·ple·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disciple¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin discipulus, equivalent to dis- dis- ¹ + -cip(ere), combining form of capere “to take” + -ulus -ule; replacing Middle English deciple, from Anglo-French de(s)ciple; replacing Old English discipul, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of disciple¹

Old English discipul, from Latin discipulus pupil, from discere to learn

Synonym Study

See pupil ¹.

Example Sentences

Though there are flourishes of new material, disciples of composer Stephen Schwartz’s songs can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the changes are minor but welcome.

From Salon

Surely Leonardo’s erotic and emotional subjectivity within a repressive milieu was not nothing in shaping his worldly explorations — especially as a “disciple of experience” — but Burns doesn’t go there.

From Los Angeles Times

It should help Americans decide whether to trust their fate to Machiavelli’s disciple, this time seemingly unleashed by the Supreme Court.

From Salon

He’s a Wordle disciple, sometimes literally carrying the banner on top of his head.

From Los Angeles Times

And yet it was from the ranks of the poor that Jesus and his disciples led a non-violent revolution for peace.

From Salon

Related Words

• adherent
• apostle
• cohort
• devotee
• enthusiast
• fanatic
• learner
• pupil
• zealot