noviciate

9.9

A time when a new member of a religious order learns its rules before taking final vows

noun
/nəˈvɪʃiˌeɪt/

Specialized

: noviciado

The noviciate is often a time of reflection and preparation for new members of religious orders.

Examples

The noviciate lasts for two years before the final vows.
During her noviciate, she learned the rules and spiritual practices of the convent.
Many found the strict schedule challenging during their noviciate year.
Maria is in her noviciate.
During her noviciate, she learned the rules and spiritual practices of the convent.
Many found the strict schedule challenging during their noviciate year.
The noviciate is often a time of reflection and preparation for new members of religious orders.

Synonyms

novitiate

vsnoviciate

Specialized

1 9.9

The time when someone trains in a religious group before making final promises

is the alternative spelling form for the same training period

tertianship

vsnoviciate

Jargon

9.9

A final period of training before taking religious vows

refers to the earlier initial training stage rather than final preparation

postulancy

vsnoviciate

Jargon

9.9

A period when someone tries to join a group, especially a religious community, before becoming a member

denotes the training stage after joining, not the earlier candidate period

How Advanced

tertianship

Jargon

9.9

noviciate

Specialized

9.9

postulancy

Jargon

9.9

Surface Forms

noviciate singular

noviciates plural

novitiates plural

novitiate singular

Morphology

noviciate = novice (transparent) = novice + iate

The noun denotes the period or state of being a novice and is predictably formed from 'novice' with a standard nominal/state-forming suffix (orthographic adjustment e drops).

Etymology

The word noviciate comes from the Latin novus, meaning 'new', and is the same root as novice, which means 'beginner'. So a noviciate is the period when someone is 'new' to a religious community and is learning before taking final vows.