pupil

1
[ pyoo-puhl ]
/ ˈpyu pəl /

noun

a person, usually young, who is learning under the close supervision of a teacher at school, a private tutor, or the like; student.
Civil Law. an orphaned or emancipated minor under the care of a guardian.
Roman Law. a person under the age of puberty orphaned or emancipated, and under the care of a guardian.

Origin of pupil

1
1350–1400; Middle English pupille < Middle French < Latin pūpillus (masculine), pūpilla (feminine) orphan, ward, diminutives of pūpus boy, pūpa girl

SYNONYMS FOR pupil

1 apprentice, novice. Pupil, disciple, scholar, student refer to a person who is studying, usually in a school. A pupil is one under the close supervision of a teacher, either because of youth or of specialization in some branch of study: a grade-school pupil; the pupil of a famous musician. A disciple is one who follows the teachings or doctrines of a person whom he or she considers to be a master or authority: a disciple of Swedenborg. Scholar, once meaning the same as pupil, is today usually applied to one who has acquired wide erudition in some field of learning: a great Latin scholar. A student is a person attending an educational institution or someone who has devoted much attention to a particular problem: a college student; a student of politics.

OTHER WORDS FROM pupil

pu·pil·less, adjective

Definition for pupil (2 of 2)

pupil 2
[ pyoo-puh l ]
/ ˈpyu pəl /

noun Anatomy.

the expanding and contracting opening in the iris of the eye, through which light passes to the retina.

Origin of pupil

2
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pūpilla literally, little doll; for sense compare Greek kórē girl, doll, pupil of the eye, alluding to the tiny reflections visible in the pupils. See pupa

OTHER WORDS FROM pupil

pu·pil·less, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for pupil

British Dictionary definitions for pupil (1 of 2)

pupil 1
/ (ˈpjuːpəl) /

noun

a student who is taught by a teacher, esp a young student
civil law Scots law a boy under 14 or a girl under 12 who is in the care of a guardian

Word Origin for pupil

C14: from Latin pupillus an orphan, from pūpus a child

British Dictionary definitions for pupil (2 of 2)

pupil 2
/ (ˈpjuːpəl) /

noun

the dark circular aperture at the centre of the iris of the eye, through which light enters

Word Origin for pupil

C16: from Latin pūpilla, diminutive of pūpa girl, puppet; from the tiny reflections in the eye

Medical definitions for pupil

pupil
[ pyōōpəl ]

n.

The apparently black circular opening in the center of the iris of the eye, through which light passes to the retina.

Other words from pupil

pupi•lar adj.

Scientific definitions for pupil

pupil
[ pyōōpəl ]

The opening in the center of the iris through which light enters the eye.

Cultural definitions for pupil

pupil

The seemingly black, central opening in the iris of the eye, through which light enters.