No‐vi″ti‐ate (?), n. [LL. novitiatus: cf. F. noviciat.]
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.