'Initiate' definitions:

Definition of 'initiate'

From: WordNet
noun
Someone new to a field or activity [syn: novice, beginner, tyro, tiro, initiate]
noun
Someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field [syn: initiate, learned person, pundit, savant]
noun
People who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity; "it is very familiar to the initiate" [syn: initiate, enlightened] [ant: uninitiate]
verb
Bring into being; "He initiated a new program"; "Start a foundation" [syn: originate, initiate, start]
verb
Take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants" [syn: initiate, pioneer]
verb
Accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite; "African men are initiated when they reach puberty" [syn: initiate, induct]
verb
Bring up a topic for discussion [syn: broach, initiate]
verb
Set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for; "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II" [syn: lead up, initiate]

Definition of 'Initiate'

From: GCIDE
  • 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.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. To introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to set afoot; to originate; to commence; to begin or enter upon. [1913 Webster]
  • How are changes of this sort to be initiated? --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce. [1913 Webster]
  • Providence would only initiate mankind into the useful knowledge of her treasures, leaving the rest to employ our industry. --Dr. H. More. [1913 Webster]
  • To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To introduce into a society or organization; to confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies. [1913 Webster]
  • The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial honor after death. --Bp. Warburton. [1913 Webster]
  • He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty. --Spectator. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Initiate'

From: GCIDE
  • Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, v. i. To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative. [R.] --Pope. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Initiate'

From: GCIDE
  • Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, a. [L. initiatus, p. p.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. Unpracticed; untried; new. [Obs.] "The initiate fear that wants hard use." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted. [1913 Webster]
  • To rise in science as in bliss, Initiate in the secrets of the skies. --Young. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Initiate'

From: GCIDE
  • Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, n. One who is, or is to be, initiated. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'initiate'

From: Moby Thesaurus