initiate

in·i·ti·ate  (-nsh-t)

tr.v. in·i·ti·at·ed, in·i·ti·at·ing, in·i·ti·ates

1. To set going by taking the first step; begin: initiated trade with developing nations. See Synonyms at begin.

2. To introduce to a new field, interest, skill, or activity.

3. To admit into membership, as with ceremonies or ritual.

adj. (-t)

1. Initiated or admitted, as to membership or a position of authority.

2.

a. Instructed in esoteric knowledge.

b. Introduced to something new.

n. (-t)

1. One who is being or has been initiated.

2. One who has been introduced to or has attained knowledge in a particular field.

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[Latin initire, initit-, from initium, beginning; see ei- in Indo-European roots.]

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in·iti·ator n.

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initiate

Verb

[-ating, -ated]

1. to begin or set going: more women initiate divorce today

2. to accept (new members) into a group, often through secret ceremonies

3. to teach the fundamentals of a skill or knowledge to (someone)

Noun

1. a person who has been initiated, esp. recently

2. a beginner [Latin initiare]

initiation n
initiator n

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	initiate - someone new to a field or activity   beginner, tiro, tyro, novice unskilled person - a person who lacks technical training abecedarian - a novice learning the rudiments of some subject apprentice, prentice, learner - works for an expert to learn a trade cub, greenhorn, rookie - an awkward and inexperienced youth landlubber, landsman, lubber - an inexperienced sailor; a sailor on the first voyage fledgeling, fledgling, newbie, newcomer, entrant, freshman, neophyte, starter - any new participant in some activity tenderfoot - an inexperienced person (especially someone inexperienced in outdoor living) trainee - someone who is being trained
	2.	initiate - someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field learned person, pundit, savant polymath - a person of great and varied learning bookman, scholar, scholarly person, student - a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines
	3.	initiate - people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity; "it is very familiar to the initiate" enlightened people - (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively; "old people"; "there were at least 200 people in the audience" uninitiate - people who have not been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity; "it diverts the attention of the uninitiate"
Verb	1.	initiate - bring into being; "He initiated a new program"; "Start a foundation" originate, start lead up, initiate - set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for; "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II" create, make - make or cause to be or to become; "make a mess in one's office"; "create a furor" set - apply or start; "set fire to a building" date back, date from, go back - belong to an earlier time; "This story dates back 200 years"
	2.	initiate - take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants" pioneer strike up - begin; "strike up a conversation"; "strike up a friendship" innovate, introduce - bring something new to an environment; "A new word processor was introduced" activate, actuate, set off, spark, spark off, touch off, trigger, trigger off, trip - put in motion or move to act; "trigger a reaction"; "actuate the circuits" cause, do, make - give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally; "cause a commotion"; "make a stir"; "cause an accident" institute, establish, found, plant, constitute - set up or lay the groundwork for; "establish a new department" stage, arrange - plan, organize, and carry out (an event); "the neighboring tribe staged an invasion" mount - put up or launch; "mount a campaign against pornography" undertake, attempt, set about - enter upon an activity or enterprise machinate, devise, prepare, organise, organize, get up - arrange by systematic planning and united effort; "machinate a plot"; "organize a strike"; "devise a plan to take over the director's office"
	3.	initiate - accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite; "African men are initiated when they reach puberty" induct let in, admit, include - allow participation in or the right to be part of; permit to exercise the rights, functions, and responsibilities of; "admit someone to the profession"; "She was admitted to the New Jersey Bar"
	4.	initiate - bring up a topic for discussion broach hash out, talk over, discuss - speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion; "We discussed our household budget" deal, plow, handle, treat, cover, address - act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression; "This book deals with incest"; "The course covered all of Western Civilization"; "The new book treats the history of China"
	5.	initiate - set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for; "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II" lead up initiate, originate, start - bring into being; "He initiated a new program"; "Start a foundation"

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initiate

verb 1. begin, start, open, launch, establish, institute, pioneer, kick off (informal) bring about, embark on, originate, set about, get under way, instigate, kick-start, inaugurate, set in motion, trigger off, lay the foundations of, commence on, set going, break the ice on, set the ball rolling on

verb 2. introduce, admit, enlist, enrol, launch, establish, invest, recruit, induct, instate

noun 3. novice, member, pupil, convert, amateur, newcomer, beginner, trainee, apprentice, entrant, learner, neophyte, tyro, probationer, novitiate, proselyte

initiate someone into something instruct in, train in, coach in, acquaint with, drill in, make aware of, teach about, tutor in, indoctrinate, prime in, familiarize with

Translations

initiate [ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪt] vt (= start) → iniciar;

to initiate sb into a secret → iniciar a algn en un secreto;

to initiate proceedings against sb (LAW) → poner una demanda contra algn

initiate [ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪt] vt (= start) → entreprendre; amorcer [+ enterprise]; lancer [+ person]; initier;

to initiate sb into a secret → initier qn à un secret;

to initiate proceedings against sb (Law) → intenter une action à qn, engager des poursuites contre qn

initiate [ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪt] vt (talks) → eröffnen;

(process) → einleiten;

(new member) → feierlich aufnehmen;

to initiate sb into a secret → jdn in ein Geheimnis einweihen;

to initiate proceedings against sb (Law) → einen Prozess gegen jdn anstrengen

initiate [ɪˈnɪʃɪeɪt] vt (= start) → avviare; intraprendere; iniziare [+ person]; iniziare;

to initiate sb into sth → iniziare qn a qc;

to initiate proceedings against sb (LAW) → intentare causa a or contro qn