INITIATE

initiate, enlightened

(noun) people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity; “it is very familiar to the initiate”

initiate, learned person, pundit, savant

(noun) someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

novice, beginner, tyro, tiro, initiate

(noun) someone new to a field or activity

broach, initiate

(verb) bring up a topic for discussion

originate, initiate, start

(verb) bring into being; “He initiated a new program”; “Start a foundation”

initiate, pioneer

(verb) take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; “This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants”

initiate, induct

(verb) accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite; “African men are initiated when they reach puberty”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

initiate (plural initiates)

A new member of an organization.

One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.

Verb

initiate (third-person singular simple present initiates, present participle initiating, simple past and past participle initiated)

(transitive) To begin; to start.

To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.

To confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies.

(intransitive) To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.

Antonyms

• (to begin): end, conclude, complete, finish

Adjective

initiate (comparative more initiate, superlative most initiate)

(obsolete) Unpractised; untried; new.

(obsolete) Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted.

Source: Wiktionary

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In*i"ti*ate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Initiated; p. pr. & vb. n. Initiating.] Etym: [L. initiatus, p. p. of initiare to begin, fr. initium beginning. See Initial.]

1. To introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to set afoot; to originate; to commence; to begin or enter upon. How are changes of this sort to be initiated I. Taylor.

2. To acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce. Providence would only initiate mankind into the useful knowledge of her treasures, leaving the rest to employ our industry. Dr. H. More. To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough. Locke.

3. To introduce into a society or organization; to confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies. The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial honor after death. Bp. Warburton. He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty. Spectator.

In*i"ti*ate, v. i.

Definition: To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative. [R.] Pope.

In*i"ti*ate, a. Etym: [L. initiatus, p. p.]

1. Unpracticed; untried; new. [Obs.] "The initiate fear that wants hard use." Shak.

2. Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted. To rise in science as in bliss, Initiate in the secrets of the skies. Young. Initiate tenant by courtesy (Law), said of a husband who becomes such in his wife's estate of inheritance by the birth of a child, but whose estate is not consummated till the death of the wife. Mozley & W.

In*i"ti*ate, n.

Definition: One who is, or is to be, initiated.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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