Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - disciple

 noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English discipul & Anglo-French ~, from Late Latin and Latin; Late Latin discipulus follower of Jesus Christ in his lifetime, from Latin, pupil  Date: before 12th century  1. one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as  a. one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ's followers according to the Gospel accounts  b. a convinced adherent of a school or individual  2. capitalized a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the United States in 1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usually baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity  Synonyms: see follower  • ~ship noun