Padawan

"The boy. He your son?''" "''No. He is my Padawan. Something between a student and an apprentice."

- Grecker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, discussing Anakin Skywalker

A Padawan, also known as a Padawan learner or Apprentice, referred to a Force-sensitive adolescent who trained in the Jedi Order to one day become a Jedi. Padawans were known as Jedi younglings at first, and trained in classroom settings with multiple students and a teacher. After reaching a certain age, Padawans were normally apprenticed to a Jedi Knight or Jedi Master, beginning their one-on-one training. Apprentices would often go on missions with their masters as part of this one-on-one training. Jedi were only allowed to have one Padawan as an apprentice at a time. After completing 'the trials' to become a Jedi, a Padawan would be promoted to the rank of Knight. When promoted, the Padawan braid most of them grew or wore to symbolize their rank as a Padawan is cut off with a lightsaber.

Non-Canon Appearances

 * William Shakespeare's The Phantom of Menace: Star Wars Part the First
 * Epic Yarns: The Empire Strikes Back