initiatory

American  

[ih-nish-ee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪˈnɪʃ i əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. introductory; initial.

   an initiatory step toward a treaty.

2. serving to initiate or admit into a society, club, etc.

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initiatory British  

/ ɪˈnɪʃɪˌətərɪ /

adjective

1. of or concerning initiation or serving to initiate; initiative

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Other Word Forms

• initiatorily adverb

Etymology

Origin of initiatory

First recorded in 1605–15; initiate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

That initiatory dinner consisted of mashed potatoes and jellied cranberry sauce from the can, a dish he loved because its sweet-and-sour flavor tasted faintly of home.

From New York Times • Nov. 15, 2016

"I am he," the Pharisee interrupted, examining the young man for some familiar feature which might justify the Essene's initiatory.

From Saul of Tarsus A Tale of the Early Christians by Miller, Elizabeth

As I looked over the book I discovered that with the exception of a few initiatory chapters, it was simply a copy of Mrs. Wister's work.

From Recollections of a Varied Life by Eggleston, George Cary

It is obvious that, according to Pauline doctrine, there could be no obligation for anyone who adopted Christianity to undergo this initiatory rite.

From Supernatural Religion, Vol. III. (of III) An Inquiry into the Reality of Divine Revelation by Cassels, Walter Richard

An unusual amount of care has been bestowed on the initiatory stages, the definitions, axioms, and postulates being treated with commendable fulness....

From Early Days in North Queensland by Palmer, Edward