initiate
[verb ih-nish-ee-eyt; adjective, noun ih-nish-ee-it, -eyt]
- 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.
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- initiated; begun.
- admitted into an organizaton or group, secret knowledge, etc.
- introduced to the knowledge of a subject.
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- a person who has been initiated.
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Origin of initiate
Synonyms
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1. See begin.
Antonyms
1. conclude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
beginlaunchinstitutetriggerinaugurateopencommenceintroduceinvestoriginatepioneeradmitinstallenterinductintrofamiliarizecoachedifyindoctrinateExamples from the Web for initiates
Contemporary Examples
The idea that January 1st initiates a period of new beginning is not a flash of Hallmark brilliance.
In 1983, Gaddafi initiates work on the Great Manmade River, a network of wells and pipelines for water.
There must have been literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of initiates, across the millennium of classical history.
Historical Examples
In secularities it is always Evu who initiates, and Tara admiringly follows.
Lotus BudsAmy Carmichael
It is the hidden wisdom of the initiates; the alchemical mysteries of the Ancients.
Sex=The Unknown QuantityAli Nomad
This is true of the sacred feasts attended by the initiates.
The Oriental Religions in Roman PaganismFranz Cumont
At last he accorded his sympathy to her also, and admitted her to the circle of the initiates.
Mystics and Saints of IslamClaud Field
It is thus that the initiates describe the effect of the Mysteries upon them.
Christianity As A Mystical FactRudolf Steiner
initiate
- 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
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- initiated; begun
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- a person who has been initiated, esp recently
- a beginner; novice
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for initiates
initiate
n.
"one who has been initiated," 1811, from past participle adjective initiate (c.1600); see initiate (v.).
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initiate
v.
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper