v. 1 begin, commence, enter upon or on, originate, introduce, set in motion, start, give rise to, get under way, launch, get or set going, trigger, set off, actuate, activate, instigate, institute, inaugurate The programme was initiated last spring with much fanfare 2 admit, accept, introduce The new members were initiated last night, with due ceremony 3 teach, instruct, train, tutor, drill, coach His responsibility is to initiate recruits in the rudiments of jungle warfare
n. 4 novice, beginner, new boy or girl, greenhorn, rookie, neophyte, tiro or tyro, newcomer, tenderfoot, fledgling, apprentice, (raw) recruit, abecedarian, noviciate or novitiate, catechumen, Brit fresher or US only freshman, Australian new chum In the first weeks, initiates are drilled in the basics