Merriam-Webster's word of the day is
neophyte
pronounced NEE-uh-fyte
a noun meaning
someone who has just started learning or doing something
1
: a new convert
2
: novice
3
: beginner
The word neophyte has been in the English vocabulary since the fourteenth century. It traces back through Late Latin to the Greek word neophytos, meaning "newly planted" or "newly converted." Initially, it referred to a person newly converted to a religion or cause, but by the 1600s, neophyte had gained a more general sense of "a beginner or novice." In today's English, the words newbie and noob are used to convey the same idea.
(All of this is taken from Merriam-Webster.)
To see it in context or listen to the pronunciation, check the link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word-of-the-day (May 21, 2024).
