释义 |
ap·pren·tice I. \əˈprentə̇s\ noun (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English apprentis, aprentis, from Middle French aprentis, from Old French, from aprendre to learn, from Latin apprendere to grasp mentally, seize, contraction of apprehendere — more at apprehend 1. a. : one who is bound by indentures or by legal agreement to serve another person for a certain time with a view to learning an art or trade in consideration of instruction therein and formerly usually of maintenance by the master b. : one who is learning by practical experience under skilled workers a trade, art, or calling usually for a prescribed period of time and at a prescribed rate of pay < apprentice bricklayer > < actor's apprentice > < apprentice teacher > 2. a. English law, archaic : a barrister-at-law of less than 16 years' standing and ranking below a serjeant-at-law b. : an enlisted man in the United States Navy who has completed recruit training at a training center ashore but who has not been promoted to seaman or airman c. : a jockey who has yet to win 40 races or has ridden less than a year d. : the lowest rank in the exploring program of the Boy Scouts of America 3. : one not well versed in a subject : an inexperienced person : tyro, novice < an apprentice in suffering and humiliation — Saul Bellow > Synonyms: see novice II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) : to bind by contract or indenture; also : to set at work as an apprentice < at the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to a blacksmith — H.U.Faulkner > |