Novitiate
Pronunciation : No*vi"ti*ate
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [LL. novitiatus: cf. F. noviciat.]
Definition : 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.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913