n. 1. One bound by legal agreement to work for another for a specific amount of time in return for instruction in a trade, art, or business. 2. One who is learning a trade or occupation, especially as a member of a labor union. 3. A beginner; a learner. v. ap·pren·ticed, ap·pren·tic·ing, ap·pren·tic·es v.intr. To work as an apprentice: She apprenticed at the ceramics studio. v.tr. To engage as an apprentice: In colonial times many children were apprenticed to craftsmen. [Middle English apprentis, from Old French aprentis, from Vulgar Latin *apprēnditīcius, from *apprēnditus, alteration of Latin apprehēnsus, past participle of apprehendere, to seize; see APPREHEND.] ap·prentice·ship′ n. |
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