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initiate definition

ini·ti·ate (i nis̸hē āt′; for adj. & n. i nis̸hē it, -āt′or, occas. i nis̸hit)

transitive verb initiated -·at′ed, initiating -·at′·ing

  1. to bring into practice or use; introduce by first doing or using; start to initiate a new course of studies
  2. to teach the fundamentals of some subject to; help to begin doing something to initiate someone into the game of chess
  3. to admit as a member into a fraternity, club, etc., esp. with a special or secret ceremony

Etymology: < L initiatus, pp. of initiare, to enter upon, initiate < initium: see initial

adjective

  1. initiated
  2. Archaic just begun

noun

a person who has recently been, or is about to be, initiated

Related Forms:

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