initiate [verb ih-nish -ee-eyt; adjective, noun ih-nish -ee-it, -eyt]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
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. Show More
initiated; begun. admitted into an organizaton or group, secret knowledge, etc. introduced to the knowledge of a subject. Show More
a person who has been initiated. Show More
Origin of initiate 1595–1605; <
Latin initiātus past participle of
initiāre, equivalent to
initi(um ) (see
initial ) +
-ātus -ate1 Related forms in·i·ti·a·tor , noun non·in·i·ti·ate , noun pre·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 , noun qua·si-in·i·ti·at·ed , adjective re·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 , adjective un·in·i·ti·at·ed , adjective well-in·i·ti·at·ed , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
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.
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 of initiates In secularities it is always Evu who initiates , and Tara admiringly follows.
It is the hidden wisdom of the initiates ; the alchemical mysteries of the Ancients.
This is true of the sacred feasts attended by the initiates .
At last he accorded his sympathy to her also, and admitted her to the circle of the initiates .
It is thus that the initiates describe the effect of the Mysteries upon them.
British Dictionary definitions for initiates to begin or originate to accept (new members) into an organization such as a club, through often secret ceremonies to teach fundamentals to she initiated him into the ballet Show More
adjective (ɪˈnɪʃɪɪt , -ˌeɪt ) initiated; begun Show More
a person who has been initiated, esp recently a beginner; novice Show More
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
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Word Origin and History for initiates n. "one who has been initiated," 1811, from past participle adjective initiate (c.1600); see initiate (v.).
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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
