Tyro
/ˈtaɪroʊ/; British /ˈtɪərəʊ/noun
A beginner or inexperienced person in a particular activity.
Did you know?The famous Roman secretary Tiro, Cicero’s freedman, helped develop a shorthand system called Tironian notes, though the English word’s direct source is the Latin noun tiro, meaning recruit or novice.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
tiro
“A newly enlisted soldier, recruit, or inexperienced person.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
Tiro
“The name of Cicero’s freedman and secretary, famous for Roman shorthand.”
Late Latin
Latin
tiro
“A novice or beginner, especially someone inexperienced in a skill.”
Early Modern English
English
tyro
“A beginner or novice; adopted as a learned borrowing from Latin.”
17th Century
English
tyro
“An inexperienced person in a profession, discipline, or activity.”
Modern English
English
tyro
“A beginner or newcomer, often in a specialized field.”
Explore more surprising origins