INITIATIVE


Meaning of INITIATIVE in English

I. i-ˈni-shə-tiv also -shē-ə-tiv adjective

Date: 1795

: of or relating to initiation : introductory , preliminary

II. noun

Date: 1793

1. : an introductory step

took the initiative in attempting to settle the issue

2. : energy or aptitude displayed in initiation of action : enterprise

showed great initiative

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.