v., n., & adj.
--v.tr.
1. begin; set going; originate.
2 a (usu. foll. by into) admit (a person) into a society, an office, a secret, etc., esp. with a ritual. b (usu. foll. by in, into) instruct (a person) in science, art, etc.
--n. a person who has been newly initiated.
--adj. (of a person) newly initiated (an initiate member).
Derivatives:
initiation n. initiator n. initiatory adj.
Etymology: L initiare f. initium: see INITIAL