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