Definitions for initiate
ɪˈnɪʃ iˌeɪt; -ɪt, -ˌeɪtini·ti·ate

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. novice, beginner, tyro, tiro, initiatenoun

   someone new to a field or activity

2. initiate, learned person, pundit, savantnoun

   someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

3. initiate, enlightenedverb

   people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity

   "it is very familiar to the initiate"

4. originate, initiate, startverb

   bring into being

   "He initiated a new program"; "Start a foundation"

5. initiate, pioneerverb

   take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of

   "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants"

6. initiate, inductverb

   accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite

   "African men are initiated when they reach puberty"

7. broach, initiateverb

   bring up a topic for discussion

8. lead up, initiateverb

   set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for

   "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II"

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 3 votes

1. initiatenoun

   A new member of an organization.

2. initiatenoun

   One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.

3. initiateverb

   To begin, to start, to introduce.

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

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Initiateadjective

   Unpractised.

   Etymology: initié, Fr. initiatus, Lat.

   My strange and self-abuse
   Is the initiate fear; that wants hard use:
   We're yet but young. William Shakespeare, Macbeth.

2. To Initiateverb

   To enter; to instruct in the rudiments of an art; to place in a new state; to put into a new society.

   Etymology: initier, French; initio, Lat.

   Providence would only initiate mankind into the useful knowledge of her treasures, leaving the rest to employ our industry. Henry More, Antidote against Atheism.

   To initiate his pupil in any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governour is enough. John Locke, on Education.

   He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty. Spectator, №. 576.

   No sooner was a convert initiated, but, by an easy figure, he became a new man. Addison.

3. To Initiateverb

   To do the first part; to perform the first rite.

   The king himself initiates to the pow'r,
   Scatters with quiv'ring hand the sacred flour,
   And the stream sprinkles. Alexander Pope, Odyssey.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. initiate

   To initiate is to start, launch, or commence a process, action, or event. It can also refer to the action of introducing or admitting someone into a group, particularly via a formal ceremony or ritual.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Initiateverb

   to introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to set afoot; to originate; to commence; to begin or enter upon

2. Initiateverb

   to acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce

3. Initiateverb

   to introduce into a society or organization; to confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies

4. Initiateverb

   to do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative

5. Initiateadjective

   unpracticed; untried; new

6. Initiateadjective

   begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted

7. Initiatenoun

   one who is, or is to be, initiated

8. Etymology: [L. initiatus, p. p.]

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. initiate

   To create or start intuitively.

   They did initiate change proactively.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on March 10, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Admit
   • Cause
   • Create
   • Discuss

British National Corpus

1. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'initiate' in Verbs Frequency: #715

How to pronounce initiate?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say initiate in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of initiate in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of initiate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of initiate in a Sentence

1. Chase Strangio:

   We are thrilled for Chelsea that the government has finally agreed to initiate hormone therapy as part of her treatment plan, this is an important first step in Chelsea's treatment regimen and one that is in line with the recommendations of all of her doctors and the basic requirements of the Eighth Amendment.

2. Machiavelli:

   It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who would profit by the old order, only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new.

3. Bruce Aylward:

   As soon as they develop fever and become sick, if you get them into isolation they will not initiate another chain of transmission, this is part of the end-game of Ebola, it is trying to monitor those contacts.

4. Med Jones:

   There is an undercurrent of cultural changes in the Middle East region driven by the globalization of media and the Internet. Smart leaders will anticipate these changes and initiate gradual democratic reforms to avoid political instability and economic problems.

5. Gandolfo - (RJ Intindola):

   You initiate conflict to seek and obtain attention; kindness and love will deliver more significant returns than one can hold.

Popularity rank by frequency of use