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

Indeed, mothers must take the initiatory step in giving to youthful impulse the right direction.

From Nature and Culture by Rice, Harvey

The alteration of this initiatory principle produces corresponding modifications, and even total changes, in the character of the civilization.

From The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races With Particular Reference to Their Respective Influence in the Civil and Political History of Mankind by Arthur, T. S. (Timothy Shay)

It would be terrible to be re-captured in the initiatory stage of his journey to the Land of Golden Dreams.

From A Hero of Romance by Marsh, Richard

"You see, that's the way to make a fortune, only I shouldn't advise you to go further than the initiatory lesson."

From Between the Dark and the Daylight by Marsh, Richard