novitiate

No*vi"ti*ate, n. Etym: [LL. novitiatus: cf. F. noviciat.] 1. The state of being a novice; time of initiation or instruction in rudiments. 2. Hence: Time of probation in a religious house before taking the vows. 3. One who is going through a novitiate, or period of probation; a novice. Addison. 4. The place where novices live or are trained. [R.]

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