Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Initiate
In-i′ti-ate
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Initiated
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Initiating
.] 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.
In-i′ti-ate
,Verb.
I.
To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.
[R.]
Pope.
In-i′ti-ate
,Adj.
[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.
In-i′ti-ate
,Noun.
One who is, or is to be, initiated.
Webster 1828 Edition
Initiate
INI'TIATE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To instruct in rudiments or principles; or to introduce into any society or sect by instructing the candidate in itsprinciples or ceremonies; as, to initiate a person into the mysteries of Ceres.
2.
To introduce into a new state or society; as, to initiate one into a club.3.
To instruct; to acquaint with; as, to initiate one in the higher branches of mathematics.4.
To begin upon.INI'TIATE
,Verb.
I.
INI'TIATE
,Adj.
1.
Begun; commenced. A tenant by the curtesy initiate, becomes so by the birth of a child, but his estate is not consummate till the death of the wife.INI'TIATE
,Noun.
Definition 2024
initiate
initiate
English
Adjective
initiate (comparative more initiate, superlative most initiate)
- (obsolete) Unpractised; untried; new.
- Shakespeare
- the initiate fear that wants hard use
- Shakespeare
- (obsolete) Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted.
- Young
- To rise in science as in bliss, / Initiate in the secrets of the skies.
- Young
Noun
initiate (plural initiates)
- A new member of an organization.
- One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.
Translations
A new member of an organization
|
One who has been through a ceremony of initiation
|
Verb
initiate (third-person singular simple present initiates, present participle initiating, simple past and past participle initiated)
- (transitive) To begin; to start.
- I. Taylor
- How are changes of this sort to be initiated?
- I. Taylor
- To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.
- Dr. H. More
- Providence would only initiate mankind into the useful knowledge of her treasures, leaving the rest to employ our industry.
- John Locke
- To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough.
- Dr. H. More
- To confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies.
- Bishop Warburton
- The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial honour after death.
- Spectator
- He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty.
- Bishop Warburton
- (intransitive) To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Alexander Pope to this entry?)
Related terms
Antonyms
Translations
to begin; to start