apprentice
UK[əˈprentɪs]US[əˈprentɪs]
n
a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages.
v
employ (someone) as an apprentice.
Etymology
the word 'apprentice' entered english in the 14th century from the old french 'aprentis', meaning 'someone learning', which itself derived from the verb 'aprendre' (to learn). this old french term has its roots in the latin verb 'apprehendere', meaning 'to seize, grasp, or comprehend'. the semantic journey is clear: from the physical act of seizing, the meaning extended metaphorically to the mental act of grasping knowledge or a skill. the modern english meaning retains this core idea of a learner, specifically one bound by contract to grasp the practical knowledge of a craft from a master.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from old french and is not productively segmented into meaningful morphemes in modern english based on its current spelling.
Examples
he began his career as an apprentice to a master carpenter.
she was apprenticed to a renowned chef at the age of sixteen.
the company takes on several new apprentices every year.