Nē'o-phȳte, n.

n. [Fr. néophyte, It. & Sp. neofito, Lat. neophytus, Gr. νεόφυτος, properly newly planted, from νέος, new, and φυτός, grown, φυτόν, that which has grown, a plant, from φύειν, to grow.]

1. A new convert or proselyte;—a name given by the early Christians, and still among the Roman Catholics, to such as have recently embraced the Christian faith, and been admitted to baptism; also, more rarely, to those newly admitted to the priesthood, or into a monastery.
2. Hence, a novice; a tyro; a beginner in any thing.