The etymological origin of the term neophyte is found in Greek. Exactly it derives from "neóphytos", which is the result of the sum of the following lexical components:
-The word "neos", which can be translated as "new."
-The noun "phyton", which is equivalent to "plant".
A Greek term that later reached late Latin as neophytus.
This is what is called, in the field of religion , the individual who has recently converted or who has recently been admitted to the ecclesiastical state .
In Christianity, therefore, we can find several uses of the notion of neophyte. A neophyte is a subject who has just taken canonical or monastic vows , assuming a life of chastity , obedience and poverty. A priest who was recently ordained is also called a neophyte.
He who converted to a religion is considered, in the first moments, a neophyte. In Catholicism, for example, the adult convert remains a neophyte for one year after converting.
In everyday language, on the other hand, a neophyte is mentioned as someone who has recently joined a group, a movement or a cause . Due to this temporal proximity, the neophyte lacks experience and must learn different issues until reaching the same state or condition as the rest of the members.
Take the case of a documentary that revolves around 21st century terrorism . The film analyzes the phenomenon, based on various attacks that have occurred in recent years. Due to its didactic intention and its detailed explanations about the problem, critics highlight that it is a cinematographic proposal suitable for neophytes in the field . This means that those who watch the film without having prior knowledge about the terrorist attacks of the 21st century can easily understand what is shown thanks to the dynamics of the documentary.
Based on all of the above, we can establish that among the words that can function as synonyms for neophyte are novice, novice, novel, beginner, professed, inexperienced and even apprentice. On the contrary, among its antonyms we find words such as veteran, mature, expert, trained or experienced.
In the same way, we cannot forget that Neophyte is also a male name. It is considered that it belongs to very sensitive, nervous men, with a great capacity for imagination, friendly and very supportive. To all this we must add that they are hospitable, that they place great value on friendship and that above all they want to have freedom.
A well-known figure with that name is Neófito López Ramos, a Mexican magistrate who is part of the First Collegiate Court of the Circuit of the Auxiliary Center of the Fourth Region.
In the literary and cinematographic saga "Twilight" we speak of neophytes to refer to vampires who have recently become these beings. Precisely this makes them really impulsive, they are carried away only by their instincts and they are very difficult to control.