Discipleships

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state of being a follower or learner under the guidance of a teacher, often involving spiritual or religious practices
2. A relationship characterized by mentorship and education where one develops skills and knowledge through following someone with expertise
3. The process or condition of engaging in a committed learning journey with a mentor or leader in various contexts, especially spiritual or educational

Etymology: "Discipleships" is simply the plural of "discipleship," so it describes more than one instance or kind of the condition. The base word "discipleship" is formed from "disciple" plus the suffix "-ship." The suffix traces back through Old English "-sċiepe" and Proto-Germanic "*skapiz," a root meaning something like state, condition or quality, which also gave English words such as "friendship," "hardship" and "township." "Disciple" comes from Latin "discipulus," a learner or pupil, closely tied to "discere," to learn. Its earliest English sense was a follower of a teacher, and the religious association with the followers of Jesus became dominant in English usage. The word "disciple" reached English through Old English and Latin channels, so the chain of meaning runs from student, to adherent, to committed follower.

Synonyms: followerships, apprenticeships, mentorships, covenants, commitments

Antonyms: independence, autonomy, rejection, disavowal, disloyalty