apprentice
UK: əˈprentɪs | US: əˈprentɪs
n. a person learning a trade or skill under a qualified expert
n. a novice or beginner in any field
vt. to bind or take someone as an apprentice
The word "apprentice" traces back to Old French aprentis (learner), derived from aprendre (to learn), itself from Latin apprehendere (to grasp, seize). The morpheme ap- (ad-) signifies direction ("to"), while pren- (from prehendere) means "to take or grasp," metaphorically extending to "learning." The suffix -tice (via Old French -tis) denotes a noun of state or role. Historically, apprentices "grasped" skills from masters, reflecting the word’s literal and figurative roots in acquisition.
He became an apprentice to a master carpenter at age 14.
The young artist worked as an apprentice in a famous studio.
She was apprenticed to a blacksmith for five years.
Modern tech companies often hire apprentice programmers.
The guild required each apprentice to complete a final project.