Devoted followers or students, especially of a religious teacher or leader.
From Latin 'discipulus' (student/learner), from 'disco' (to learn). The word entered English through Christian contexts where disciples were the followers of Jesus. Now used for any devoted student or follower.
Disciples literally means 'learners' in Latin—they're called this because they're learning from their master. The same root gives us 'discipline' and 'disciple,' linking learning, discipline, and devoted following together.
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