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
See more synonyms for initiate on Thesaurus.com1. commence; introduce, inaugurate, open. 2. teach, instruct, indoctrinate, train.
Synonym study
1. See begin.
Antonyms
1. conclude.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for initiating
Contemporary Examples
It did not prove that Roosevelt was initiating an inevitable alliance against Nazism.
Also left unsaid by Wise: Goodell was not initiating a law enforcement investigation.
She easily speaks what she thinks and not with the intention of initiating a fight with someone or playing games.
Game of Thrones’ Sibel Kekilli Discusses Shae’s Treachery at the Trial of Tyrion LannisterMarlow Stern
May 13, 2014
Kerry is correct when he argues that Israel should be rewarded for initiating final status negotiations with the Palestinians.
The core aim was simple: to discourage Arabs from initiating hostile actions.
Historical Examples
In initiating them into the mysteries of French cookery my sister was of great service.
FreelandTheodor Hertzka
Such was Jefferson's way of initiating the measures of the Administration.
Union and DemocracyAllen Johnson
This could not be done in the first initiating ordinance of the church,—circumcision.
Bertha and Her BaptismNehemiah Adams
He spoke as though he were initiating Roddy into a secret order.
The White MiceRichard Harding Davis
In still other cases, earthquakes are the initiating cause of movement.
The Economic Aspect of GeologyC. K. Leith
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 initiating
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