INITIATE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Initiate

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/ɪnˈɪʃiˌeɪt/ Listen

verb

Initiate v. t. (past & past part. initiated; pres. part. initiating)

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?"

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." "To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough."

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." "He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty."

Initiate v. i. To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative. (R.)

noun

Initiate n. One who is, or is to be, initiated.

adjective

Initiate adj.

1.

Unpracticed; untried; new. (Obs.) "The initiate fear that wants hard use."

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."

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.

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Etymology of 'Initiate'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Initiate" Quotes from Famous Books

... up much of Vivie Warren's work on the 1st of August in that year, while Honoria Fraser was touring in Switzerland. Miss Mullet and Miss Steynes were replaced (Steynes staying on a little later to initiate the new-comers) by two young women so commonplace yet such efficient machines that their names are not worth hunting up or inventing. If I have to refer to them I will call them Miss A. ...

— Mrs. Warren's Daughter - A Story of the Woman's Movement • Sir Harry Johnston

... actual laws of Karma are not to be studied until the disciple has reached the point at which they no longer affect himself. The initiate has a right to demand the secrets of nature and to know the rules which govern human life. He obtains this right by having escaped from the limits of nature and by having freed himself from the rules which govern human life. He ...

— Light On The Path and Through the Gates of Gold • Mabel Collins

... made up his mind to rebel, Civilis concealed in the 14 meantime his ulterior design, and while intending to guide his ultimate policy by future events, proceeded to initiate the rising as follows. The young Batavians were by Vitellius' orders being pressed for service, and this burden was being rendered even more irksome than it need have been by the greed and depravity of the recruiting officers. They took to enrolling elderly men and invalids so as to ...

— Tacitus: The Histories, Volumes I and II • Caius Cornelius Tacitus

... from the past and gradual assimilation with the present has its dangers. Unknown and occult factors are at work with the blood of several generations, pulsating in the veins of the new Canadian. Whilst beckoning hands stretch out to receive him on our shores and initiate him into our national life, other hands, the hands of the dead, stretch out through several generations to lay claim on him. Like everything in nature this change or rather this transformation should be imperceptible. Mutual toleration is the factor ...

— Catholic Problems in Western Canada • George Thomas Daly

... treatment of shipping, consular privileges, and the like. Our yet unexecuted reciprocity convention of 1883 covers none of these points, the settlement of which is so necessary to good relationship. I propose to initiate with Mexico negotiations for a new and enlarged treaty of ...

— Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to the Present • Various

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