verb , noun
■ verb / ɪˈnɪʃieɪt; NAmE / [ vn ]
1.
( formal ) to make sth begin
SYN set in motion :
to initiate legal proceedings against sb
The government has initiated a programme of economic reform.
2.
initiate sb (into sth) to explain sth to sb and/or make them experience it for the first time :
Many of them had been initiated into drug use at an early age.
3.
initiate sb (into sth) to make sb a member of a particular group, especially as part of a secret ceremony :
Hundreds are initiated into the sect each year.
■ noun
/ ɪˈnɪʃiət/ a person who has been allowed to join a particular group, organization, or religion and is learning its rules and secrets
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in sense 3): from Latin initiat- begun, from the verb initiare , from initium beginning.