Definition: initiate

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

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]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, n.
   One who is, or is to be, initiated.

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

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.

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.