[ini.tia.tive] adj (1795): of or relating to initiation: introductory, preliminary
[2]initiative n (1793) 1: an introductory step "took the ~ in attempting to settle the issue"
2: energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action: enterprise "showed great ~" 3 a: the right to initiate legislative action b: a procedure enabling a specified number of voters by petition to propose a law and secure its submission to the electorate or to the legislature for approval--compare referendum 1 -- on one's own initiative : at one's own discretion: independently of outside influence or control