commence

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

   We commenced to climb the mountain without hesitation.

2. 2
   verb

   To begin, start.

   Here the anthem doth commence:

3. 3
   verb

   To begin or start.

   At dawn we'll commence to drive.

4. 4
   verb

   To begin to be, or to act as.

   […] he furnish’d me with a Gun, Cartouch-box, and Powder-horn, &c. and thus accouter’d I commenc’d Soldier.

5. 5
   verb

   To take a degree at a university.

   […] I question whether the Formality of Commencing was used in that Age: inclining rather to the negative, that such Distinction of Graduates was then unknown […]

6. 6
   verb

   to set in motion, cause to start

7. 7
   verb

   to get off the ground

Etymology

From Middle English commencen, comencen (also as contracted comsen, cumsen), from Anglo-Norman comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiāre, formed from Latin com- + initiō (whence English initiate).