initiate

verb

1. (transitive)To begin; to start.

   “How are changes of this sort to be initiated?”

   “This is a very strong move, aptly timed. It initiates the tactical conception which routs Black's hopes.”

   “Indigenous people, such as agriculturists, hunters, and pastoralists initiated a system of totemism and tabooism which in essence was a natural law against killing and eating certain animals.”

   “A U235 bomb would therefore need to incorporate a gun weighing ten tons. Then there was the question of initiating or triggering the bomb.”

   “Prior to firing the laser, a surgeon can preilluminate the area to be cut or ablated, enlarge or reduce the area, shape, or size, and then initiate the UV laser pulses for the actual ablation.”

2. (transitive)To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.

   “Divine Providence would only initiate and enter mankind into the useful knowledge of her, leaving the rest to employ our industry.”

   “to initiate his pupil in any part of learning”

3. (transitive)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 honour after death.”

   “He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty.”

4. (intransitive)To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.

   “The king himself initiates to the power; Scatters with quivering hand the sacred flour, And the stream sprinkles.”

noun

1. A new member of an organization.
2. One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.
3. One who is oriented in and familiar with a topic or subject; especially, one who is an expert in it.

adj

1. (obsolete)Unpracticed, untried, new.

   “the initiate fear that wants hard use”

2. (obsolete)Begun, commenced, introduced to or in the rudiments (of), newly admitted.

   “To rise in science as in bliss, / Initiate in the secrets of the skies.”