I. ini·ti·ate ə̇ˈnishēˌāt sometimes -isē-; usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare, from initium beginning — more at initial
1.
a. : to begin or set going : make a beginning of : perform or facilitate the first actions, steps, or stages of : establish as an institution, custom, or trend
initiate a change in fashions
initiated a new road-building program
initiate progressive education
special powers which actively initiate and actively promote progress — W.H.Mallock
initiate a chain reaction
b. : to bring about the initial formation of : originate
polymerization chains so initiated — Otto Reinmuth
c. : to mark the beginning of
the wholesale confiscation of property which initiated the Nazi regime — R.H.Jackson
2. : to begin the instruction of in some field : lead to knowledge of elements or rudiments : foster the first steps or beginning progress of : aid in becoming familiar or knowing
initiated into this tradition by his residence in Italy — Irving Babbitt
felt that he was finally initiated — D.H.Lawrence
3. : to receive or induct into membership of a society, club, or group, or into a certain status by or as if by special rites or formalities
initiated into a social fraternity
the club will initiate new members Tuesday
Synonyms: see begin
II. ini·tiate -sh(ē)ə̇]t, -shēˌā] sometimes -sē-; usu ]d.+V\ adjective
Etymology: Latin initiatus
1. : initiated or properly admitted (as to an office, secret society, or secret learning)
2. obsolete : relating to an initiate
my strange and self-abuse is the initiate fear — Shakespeare
III. initiate noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a person who is undergoing an initiation (as into a secret order)
the relationship between initiates and initiated — Notes & Queries on Anthropology
b. : one who has passed such an initiation or has been properly admitted (as to a fraternal organization)
2.
a. : a person who is instructed or adept in some esoteric learning or mode of expression
abstruse and erudite papers intelligible only to the initiate — H.C.Dent
b. : one who has been previously exposed to some experience : one who is at home in some area of experience or activity
the initiate knows that dinner is nearing an end when the rice and tea appear — V.G.Heiser