Novitiate
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( n.) The state of being a novice; time of initiation or instruction in rudiments.
(2): ( n.) Hence: Time of probation in a religious house before taking the vows.
(3): ( n.) One who is going through a novitiate, or period of probation; a novice.
(4): ( n.) The place where novices live or are trained.
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary [2]
A year of probation appointed for the trial of religious, whether or no they have a vocation, and the necessary qualities for living up to the rule, the observation whereof they are to bind themselves to by vow. The novitiate lasts a year at least; in some houses more. It is esteemed the bed of the civil death of a novice, who expires to the world by profession.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [3]
the time of probation, as well as of preparatory training, which in all religious orders precedes the solemn Profession (q.v.). Under the head of Monachism will be found the general principles by which the training for the "religious" life is regulated. It will be enough to refer here to the article Novice
