Etymology
From Middle English disciple, discipul, from Old English discipul (disciple, scholar), from Latin discipulus (pupil, learner). Later influenced or superseded in Middle English by Old French deciple.
Noun
disciple (plural disciples)
- A person who learns from another, especially one who then teaches others.
- An active follower or adherent of someone, or some philosophy etc.
- (capitalized) Any of the followers of Jesus Christ.
- (capitalized) One of the twelve disciples of Jesus sent out as Apostles.
- (capitalized) Short for Disciple of Christ (“member of a particular religious group”).
Related terms
- discipleship
- disciplic
- discipline
Verb
disciple (third-person singular simple present disciples, present participle discipling, simple past and past participle discipled)
- (religion, transitive) To convert (a person) into a disciple.
- (religion, transitive) To train, educate, teach.
- (Christianity, certain denominations) To routinely counsel (one's peer or junior) one-on-one in their discipleship of Christ, as a fellow affirmed disciple.
Credits
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