deb·u·tant \ˈdebyüˌtänt, -yəˌ-, -tȧnt also ˈdāb- or -tant or -taa(ə)nt or -taint; ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\noun (-s) Etymology: French débutant, from present participle of débuter : one making a debut; specifically: one making his first public appearance or beginning his professional career < one of last year's better debutants … produces another wholly unconventional and delightful detective story — Anthony Boucher >