initiate

/i-ˈni-shē-ˌāt/

Late Latin initiatus, past participle of initiare, from Latin, to induct, from initium

verb

  1. to cause or facilitate the beginning of : set, going

  2. to induct into membership by or as if by special rites

  3. to instruct in the rudiments or principles of something : introduce

initiate a program of reform

begin commence start initiate inaugurate usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation. begin, start, and commence are often interchangeable. begin, opposed to end, is the most general. start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages.

noun

  1. a person who is undergoing or has undergone an initiation

  2. a person who is instructed or adept in some special field

adjective

  1. initiated or properly admitted (as to membership or an office)

  2. instructed in some secret knowledge

  3. relating to an initiate