I. Lit.
A. In milit. lang., the first military service or first campaign of a young soldier, military rawness or inexperience, = rudimentum (perh. not ante-Aug.): “juvenis,” Liv. 39, 47, 3: “propter exercitūs paucitatem et tirocinium, Auct. B. Afr. 31, 6: aetatis infirmitas aut militiae tirocinium,” Val. Max. 5, 4, 2: “tirocinii rudimenta deponere,” Just. 9, 1, 8. —In plur.: “si non solum tirocinia, verum et incunabula in ipsis castris posuissent,” Just. 12, 4, 6; Flor. 2, 3.—
B. Concr., the young troops, raw forces, recruits: “contemptum tirocinium,” Liv. 40, 35, 12.—
II. Transf., in gen., the first beginning of any thing, the first trial, attempt, or essay: “si in L. Paulo accusando tirocinium ponere et documentum eloquentiae dare voluit,” Liv. 45, 37, 3 Weissenb. ad loc.; cf.: “nec differendum est tirocinium in senectutem,” Quint. 12, 6, 3; and: “tirocinii metum transire,” id. 12, 6, 7: filios suo quemque tirocinio deducere in forum, i. e. after putting on the toga virilis, Suet. Aug. 26: “dies tirocinii,” id. Tib. 54: “togam sumpsit barbamque posuit, sine ullo honore, qualis contigerat tirocinio fratrum ejus,” id. Calig. 10.—Of inanim. things: “navium,” i. e. their first voyage, Plin. 24, 7, 26, § 41.—