beginner

noun

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”).

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

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

2. Someone who sets something in motion.

   “The beginner of the games lit the ceremonial torch.”

3. 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 […]”