/ ˈniːəfaɪt; NAmE / noun ( formal )
1.
a person who has recently started an activity :
The site gives neophytes the chance to learn from experts.
2.
a person who has recently changed to a new religion
3.
a person who has recently become a priest or recently entered a religious order
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek neophutos , literally newly planted but first used in the sense new convert by St Paul (1 Tim. 3:6), from neos new + phuton plant.