neophyte

neophyte
    n 1: a plant that is found in an area where it had not been
         recorded previously
    2: any new participant in some activity [syn: {newcomer},
       {fledgling}, {fledgeling}, {starter}, {neophyte}, {freshman},
       {newbie}, {entrant}]
    3: a new convert being taught the principles of Christianity by
       a catechist [syn: {catechumen}, {neophyte}]
    

Neophyte \Ne"o*phyte\ (n[=e]"[-o]*f[imac]t), n. [L. neophytis,
   Gr. neo`fytos, prop., newly planted; ne`os new + fyto`s
   grown, fyto`n that which has grown, a plant, fr. fy`ein to
   grow: cf. F. n['e]ophyte. See {New}, and {Be}.]
   1. A new convert or proselyte; -- a name given by the early
      Christians, and still given by the Roman Catholics, to
      such as have recently embraced the Christian faith, and
      been admitted to baptism, esp. to converts from heathenism
      or Judaism.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Hence: A novice; a tyro; a beginner in anything.
      [1913 Webster]
    

60 Moby Thesaurus words for "neophyte":
      Christian, God-fearing man, abecedarian, accepter, alphabetarian,
      apprentice, articled clerk, baby, beginner, believer, boot,
      catechumen, churchgoer, churchite, churchman, colt, communicant,
      convert, daily communicant, deb, debutant, devotee, devotionalist,
      disciple, entrant, fanatic, fledgling, follower, freshman,
      good Christian, greenhorn, greeny, ignoramus, inductee, infant,
      initiate, learner, nestling, new boy, newcomer, novice, novitiate,
      pietist, postulant, probationer, probationist, proselyte,
      raw recruit, receiver, recruit, religionist, rookie, saint,
      tenderfoot, theist, trainee, truster, tyro, votary, zealot