Forms: 4–5 aprentys, apprentys, 6 apprentise, 5– apprentice. [a. OF. aprentis, nom. of aprentif, f. aprendre to learn (see APPREHEND), 3rd sing. aprent, by form-assoc. with words in -tis, -tif:—L. -tīvus, -tīvum: see -IVE. (Mod.F. takes apprentis as pl. with sing. apprenti.) Cf. APPENTICE. The aphetic PRENTICE appears in Eng. as early as the full word, and was for several centuries the more usual form.]
1. A learner of a craft; one who is bound by legal agreement to serve an employer in the exercise of some handicraft, art, trade, or profession, for a certain number of years, with a view to learn its details and duties, in which the employer is reciprocally bound to instruct him.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. II. 190. Apparayleden him as a prentis. Ibid., III. 218. Alle kunne craftes men · craueþ Meede for heore prentys [1393 for here aprentys].
1551. T. Wilson, Logic, 26. To make servaunts and apprentices free.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 5. His duller child he binds an apprentice to some trade.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, III. 299. A fact known to the apprentices of apothecaries.
1863. Mary Howitt, trans. F. Bremer’s Greece, I. i. 11. Poor boys, of good families, will often take service as apprentices.
† 2. A barrister-at-law of less than 16 years’ standing. Obs. exc. Hist.
c. 1375. Wyclif, Wks., 1869, I. 382. Boþe aprentis and avocatis.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 226. Prechoures & prestes & prentyces of lawe.
1628. Coke, On Litt., 303 a. In ancient time the Serieants and Apprentices of Law did draw their owne pleadings.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., I. 23. Barristers (first stiled apprentices) … who answered to our bachelors.
1863. Cox, Inst. Eng. Govt., II. iii. 373, note. In the time of Edward IV. apprentices were a class distinct from the serjeants.
3. By extension: One who is only learning the rudiments; an unskilled novice, a tyro.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of Armes, I. xvi. 47. Noo prentiz … in puttyng his oost in fayre ordenance.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, IV. xxvii. (1840), 228. As yet they were apprentices to piracy.
1863. Mrs. C. Clarke, Shaks. Char., xv. 377. A mere apprentice in treason.
B. adj. or attrib. [in quot. 1400, a. OFr. aprentis adj. ‘ignorant, qui a besoin d’apprendre,’ Godef.; in later quots., attrib. use of the Eng. sb.; cf. a master builder, a master mind.]
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 687. These briddis, that nought unkunnyng Were of her craft, & apprentys [v.r. a prentise].
1666. Pepys, Diary (1879), IV. 72. She was not a ’prentice girl, to ask leave every time she goes abroad.
1794. Burns, Wks., III. 284. Her prentice han’ she tried on man, An’ then she made the lasses, O.
1831. Brewster, Newton (1855), II. xvi. 105. He tried his apprentice hand on an inferior institution.
