n. [ F., from L. novicius, novitius, new, from novus new. See New, and cf. Novitious. ] 1. One who is new in any business, profession, or calling; one unacquainted or unskilled; one yet in the rudiments; a beginner; a tyro. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am young; a novice in the trade. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One newly received into the church, or one newly converted to the Christian faith. 1 Tim. iii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eccl.) One who enters a religious house, whether of monks or nuns, as a probationist. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

No poore cloisterer, nor no novys. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like a novice; becoming a novice. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being a novice; novitiate. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. novus new + luna the moon. ] Of or pertaining to the new moon. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. novitiatus: cf. F. noviciat. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The state of being a novice; time of initiation or instruction in rudiments. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: The time of probation in a religious house before taking the vows. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who is going through a novitiate, or period of probation; a novice. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The place where novices live or are trained. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. novitius, novicius. ] Newly invented; recent; new. [ Obs. ] Bp. Pearson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. novitas, fr. novus new. ] Newness; novelty. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]