initiate

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity

   it is very familiar to the initiate

2. 2
   verb

   bring into being

   They initiated a new program.

3. 3
   verb

   accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite

   African men are initiated when they reach puberty

4. 4
   verb

   To begin; to start.

   How are changes of this sort to be initiated?

5. 5
   verb

   To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.

   Divine Providence would only initiate and enter mankind into the useful knowledge of her, leaving the rest to employ our industry.

6. 6
   verb

   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 honour after death.

7. 7
   verb

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

   The king himself initiates to the power; Scatters with quivering hand the sacred flour, And the stream sprinkles.

8. 8
   adj

   Unpracticed, untried, new.

   the initiate fear that wants hard use

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin initiātus, perfect passive participle of initiō (“to begin, originate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from initium (“a beginning”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix), from initus (“an entrance, coming in, approach”) + -ium, from ineō + -tus, from in- + eō (“to go”). Cognate with French initier.