Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Novitiate \No*vi"ti*ate\, n. [LL. novitiatus: cf. F. noviciat.]
   1. The state of being a novice; time of initiation or
      instruction in rudiments.

   2. Hence: Time of probation in a religious house before
      taking the vows.

   3. One who is going through a novitiate, or period of
      probation; a novice. --Addison.

   4. The place where novices live or are trained. [R.]

Source : WordNet®

novitiate
     n 1: the period during which you are a novice (especially in a
          religious order) [syn: {noviciate}]
     2: someone who has entered a religious order but has not taken
        final vows [syn: {novice}]