[com.mence] vb com.menced ; com.menc.ing [ME comencen, fr. MF comencer, fr. (assumed) VL cominitiare, fr. L com- + LL initiare to begin, fr. L, to initiate] vt (14c): to enter upon: begin "~ proceedings" ~ vi 1: to have or make a beginning: start
2. chiefly Brit: to begin to be or to act as 3 chiefly Brit: to take a degree at a university syn see begin -- com.menc.er n