initiative

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A new plan or action started to solve a problem or improve something.

   The city launched a new initiative to reduce traffic.

2. 2
   noun

   The ability to decide and act on your own without being told.

   She showed great initiative by solving the problem herself.

From French initiative, from Medieval Latin *initiativus (“serving to initiate”), from Late Latin initiare (“to begin, to initiate”), from Latin initium (“beginning”), from ineo (“enter, begin”). By surface analysis, initiate + -ive.

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