ENGLISH
REFERENCE

apprentice

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈpɹɛntəs// UK //ɐpɹˈɛntɪs// ap·pren·tice Archaic

n. someone who works for a skilled person to learn a specific trade or craft. You usually get paid a lower wage while you are learning the job.

n. a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages. Often involves a formal contract or educational framework.


SIMPLE

The young apprentice learned how to fix engines.

CONTEXTUAL

After finishing high school, he became an apprentice at a local bakery to learn the art of pastry.

COMPLEX

The modern apprenticeship system allows the apprentice to gain practical experience on-site while attending technical college one day a week to master the theoretical aspects of the trade.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English apprentice, apprentesse, apprentyse, apprentis, from Old French aprentis, plural of aprentif, from Old French aprendre (verb), Late Latin apprendō, from Classical Latin apprehendō. Compare typologically Latin discipulus (akin to capiō); Russian схва́тывать на лету́ (sxvátyvatʹ na letú), and for another aspect быть на подхва́те (bytʹ na podxváte) (both akin to хвата́ть (xvatátʹ).

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' when identifying the master or employer.

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