Apprenticeship

Also 6–7 apprentiship(pe. [f. APPRENTICE sb. + -SHIP; superseding APPRENTICEHOOD.]

  1.  The position of an apprentice; service in the capacity of an apprentice; initiatory training, under legal agreement, in a trade, etc.; esp. in the phr. To serve apprenticeship.

1612.  Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. 1653, Pref. 18. Holding them in more base subjection then their masters ever did in their apprentiship.

1776.  Adam Smith, W. N., I. I. x. 106. During the continuance of the apprenticeship the whole labour of the apprentice belongs to the master.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 625. Prince George … was serving his apprenticeship in the military art.

  2.  transf. or fig.

1592.  Greene, Disput., 22. Such as onely ayme at your faire lookes, tye but their loues to an apprentishippe of beauty.

1638.  Baker, Balzac’s Lett., II. (1654), 46. On whose banks the Romans have performed the Apprentiships of their rare victories.

1862.  Max Müller, Chips (1880), I. v. 118. Men who have passed through a regular apprenticeship in Sanskrit grammar.

  3.  The period for which an apprentice is bound.

a. 1667.  Cowley, Liberty, Wks. 1710, II. 677. This is but a short Apprenticeship, after which we are made free of a Royal Company.

1758.  Johnson, Idler, No. 47, ¶ 2. Three months after the expiration of his apprenticeship.

1826.  Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. x. 218. That long apprenticeship of sorrow.

  4.  Hence: A period of seven years.

1780.  Mrs. Delany, Corr., Ser. II. II. 506. Two apprenticeships have past since my dearest Mrs. Dewes celebrated her birth-day here.

1836.  Hood, Comic Annual, 83.