Definitions for Initiateɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; -ɪt, -ˌeɪt

in•i•ti•ate^*ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; -ɪt, -ˌeɪt(v.; adj., n.; adj.; n.)-at•ed, -at•ing

(v.t.)to begin, set going, or originate:
to initiate major social reforms.
to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.
to admit into the membership of an organization or group, esp. with formal or secret rites.
(adj.)initiated; begun.
admitted into an organizaton or group.
introduced to the knowledge of a subject.
(n.)a person who has been initiated.

^* Syn: See begin.

1595–1605; < L initiātus, ptp. of initiāre, v. der. of initium; see initial

in•i′ti•a`tor(n.)

novice, beginner, tyro, tiro, initiate(noun)
someone new to a field or activity
initiate, learned person, pundit, savant(noun)
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
initiate, enlightened(verb)
people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity
"it is very familiar to the initiate"
originate, initiate, start(verb)
bring into being
"He initiated a new program"; "Start a foundation"
initiate, pioneer(verb)
take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
"This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants"
initiate, induct(verb)
accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite
"African men are initiated when they reach puberty"
broach, initiate(verb)
bring up a topic for discussion
lead up, initiate(verb)
set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
"Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II"

initiate(verb)ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; adj., n. -ɪt, -ˌeɪt
***to cause to begin
a new set of studies initiated by the drug company
initiateɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; adj., n. -ɪt, -ˌeɪt
to accept sb as a member of a group with a ceremony
to initiate sb into a club

Origin: From initiatus, perfect passive participle of initio, from initium, from ineo, from in + eo.

Initiate(verb)
to introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to set afoot; to originate; to commence; to begin or enter upon
Initiate(verb)
to acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce
Initiate(verb)
to introduce into a society or organization; to confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies
Initiate(verb)
to do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative
Initiate(adj)
unpracticed; untried; new
Initiate(adj)
begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted
Initiate(noun)
one who is, or is to be, initiated