initiate

[verb ih-nish-ee-eyt; adjective, noun ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR initiate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·i·ti·at·ed, in·i·ti·at·ing.

to begin, set going, or originate: to initiate major social reforms.

to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.

to admit or accept with formal rites into an organization or group, secret knowledge, adult society, etc.

to propose (a measure) by initiative procedure: to initiate a constitutional amendment.

adjective

initiated; begun.

admitted into an organizaton or group, secret knowledge, etc.

introduced to the knowledge of a subject.

noun

a person who has been initiated.

Origin of initiate

1595–1605; < Latin initiātus past participle of initiāre, equivalent to initi(um) (see initial) + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsin·i·ti·a·tor, nounnon·in·i·ti·ate, nounpre·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), pre·in·i·ti·at·ed, pre·in·i·ti·at·ing.pre·in·i·ti·ate, nounqua·si-in·i·ti·at·ed, adjectivere·in·i·ti·ate, verb (used with object), re·in·i·ti·at·ed, re·in·i·ti·at·ing.un·in·i·ti·ate, adjectiveun·in·i·ti·at·ed, adjectivewell-in·i·ti·at·ed, adjective

Synonyms for initiate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR initiate ON THESAURUS.COM

1. commence; introduce, inaugurate, open. 2. teach, instruct, indoctrinate, train.

Synonym study

1. See begin.

Antonyms for initiate

1. conclude.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for initiates

begin, launch, institute, trigger, inaugurate, open, commence, introduce, invest, originate, pioneer, admit, install, enter, induct, intro, familiarize, coach, edify, indoctrinate

Examples from the Web for initiates

Contemporary Examples of initiates

The idea that January 1st initiates a period of new beginning is not a flash of Hallmark brilliance.
New Year’s Eve, Babylon Style
Candida Moss
December 31, 2014
In 1983, Gaddafi initiates work on the Great Manmade River, a network of wells and pipelines for water.
Muammar Gaddafi's 25 Strangest Moments
David A. Graham
February 23, 2011
There must have been literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of initiates, across the millennium of classical history.
The Best of Brit Lit
Peter Stothard
May 27, 2010

Historical Examples of initiates

In secularities it is always Evu who initiates, and Tara admiringly follows.
Lotus Buds
Amy Carmichael
It is the hidden wisdom of the initiates; the alchemical mysteries of the Ancients.
Sex=The Unknown Quantity
Ali Nomad
This is true of the sacred feasts attended by the initiates.
The Oriental Religions in Roman Paganism
Franz Cumont
At last he accorded his sympathy to her also, and admitted her to the circle of the initiates.
Mystics and Saints of Islam
Claud Field
It is thus that the initiates describe the effect of the Mysteries upon them.
Christianity As A Mystical Fact
Rudolf Steiner

British Dictionary definitions for initiates

initiate

verb (ɪˈnɪʃɪˌeɪt) (tr)

to begin or originate

to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies

to teach fundamentals toshe initiated him into the ballet

adjective (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

initiated; begun

noun (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt, -ˌeɪt)

a person who has been initiated, esp recently

a beginner; novice

Word Origin for initiate

C17: from Latin initiāre (vb), from initium; see initial

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for initiates

initiate

"one who has been initiated," 1811, from past participle adjective initiate (c.1600); see initiate (v.).

initiate

c.1600, "introduce to some practice or system," also "begin, set going," from Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare "to begin, originate," from initium "beginning" (see initial). In some senses a back-formation from initiation. Related: Initiated; initiates; initiating; initiator.