novice

Where does the word "novice" come from? It comes from Latin novus, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Novice’s story begins in Latin: novus meant “new.” The root of 'novel', 'innovate' and 'renovate'. Within Latin, it grew into novicius by ancient. Newly arrived, new to a task, from novus. From there it passed into Old French as novice by medieval. Carried into French for a person new to a religious order or skill. It reached English by 1300s as novice. Settled as the English word for a person new to a skill or activity. Today, novice means a person new to and inexperienced in a skill, job, or activity.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient novus "new", the root of 'novel', 'innovate' and 'renovate'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient novicius "newly arrived, new to a task", newly arrived, new to a task, from novus.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval novice "a person new to a religious order or skill", carried into French for a person new to a religious order or skill.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s novice "a person new to a skill or activity", settled as the English word for a person new to a skill or activity.