Hypertext Webster Gateway: "initiate"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, n.
One who is, or is to be, initiated.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, v. i.
To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the
initiative. [R.] --Pope.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, a. [L. initiatus, p. p.]
1. Unpracticed; untried; new. [Obs.] ``The initiate fear that
wants hard use.'' --Shak.
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. --Young.
{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. --Mozley & W.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Initiated}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Initiating}.] [L. initiatus, p. p. of initiare to
begin, fr. initium beginning. See {Initial}.]
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? --I.
Taylor.
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. --Dr. H. More.
To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an
ordinary skill in the governor is enough. --Locke.
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. --Bp.
Warburton.
He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he
was one and twenty. --Spectator.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
initiate
adj : having been introduced to something new [syn: {initiated}]
n 1: someone new to a field or activity [syn: {novice}, {beginner},
{tyro}, {tiro}]
2: someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly
field [syn: {learned person}, {pundit}, {savant}]
3: people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some
field or activity; "it is very familiar to the initiate"
[syn: {enlightened}] [ant: {uninitiate}]
v 1: bring into being; "He initiated a new program"; "Start a
foundation" [syn: {originate}, {start}]
2: take the lead or initiative in; participate in the
development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered
heart transplants" [syn: {pioneer}]
3: accept young people into society, usually with some rite;
"African men are initiated when they reach puberty" [syn:
{induct}]
4: bring up a topic for discussion [syn: {broach}]
5: prepare the way for; "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to
World War Two" [syn: {lead up}]
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