apprentice

Definitions

From Old French aprentis, from aprendre 'to learn' = ad- (toward) + prendre (to take, ← prehendere). An apprentice is one who is 'taking up' a trade — grabbing hold of a skill under a master. Learning, here, is literally getting a grip on a craft.

Why It Means This

apprentice belongs to the French 'prendre = take' branch of the root, the same one behind surprise and enterprise. The hidden idea is that learning a craft = taking hold of it. The related word apprise (to inform) comes from the same aprendre and originally meant 'to teach' — both are about knowledge changing hands.

Common Collocations

• 1.apprentice program学徒计划

Example Sentences

• 1.

  He started as an apprentice in his uncle's workshop.

• 2.

  She spent four years as a carpenter's apprentice.

• 3.

  The firm apprentices several teenagers each year.