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Noun: neophyte  'nee-u,fIt
  1. Any new participant in some activity
    "The experienced climbers welcomed the neophyte to their mountaineering club";
    - newcomer, fledgling, fledgeling, starter, freshman [N. Amer], newbie [informal], entrant, newb [non-standard], noob [non-standard], n00b [non-standard], shavetail [N. Amer, informal]
     
  2. A new convert being taught the principles of Christianity by a catechist
    "The neophyte studied diligently to prepare for baptism";
    - catechumen
     
  3. A plant that is found in an area where it had not been recorded previously
    "The sudden appearance of this neophyte species puzzled local botanists"

Derived forms: neophytes

Type of: beginner, educatee, flora, initiate, novice, plant, plant life, pupil, rookie [informal], student, tiro, tyro

Encyclopedia: Neophyte