beginner

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Someone who is just starting at something, or has only recently started.

   I'm new to learning Finnish: I'm just a beginner.

2. 2
   noun

   Someone who sets something in motion.

   The beginner of the games lit the ceremonial torch.

3. 3
   noun

   An actor who is present on stage in the first moments of a play.

   On the stage, the beginners for the first piece had taken their places — the chorus were there, scared but determined, and in the wings waited Harlequin, in the person of Charles Lyall […]

4. 4
   noun

   a person who founds or establishes some institution

5. 5
   noun

   someone new to a field or activity

Etymology

From Middle English begynner, equivalent to begin + -er. Cognate with West Frisian begjinner (“beginner”), Dutch beginner (“beginner”), Low German begünner (“beginner”), Danish nybegynder (“beginner, novice”, literally “new-beginner”).