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Webster 1913 Edition
Commencement
Com-mence′ment
,Noun.
[F.
commencement
.] 1.
The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.
The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with the
commencement
of what is termed “modern history.” Hallam.
2.
The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
Webster 1828 Edition
Commencement
COMMENCEMENT
, n.1.
Beginning; rise; origin; first existence; as the commencement of New Style in 1752; the commencement of hostilities in 1775.2.
The time when students in colleges commence bachelors; a day in which degrees are publicly conferred on students who have finished a collegiate education. In Cambridge, Eng., the day when masters of arts and doctors complete their degrees.Definition 2024
commencement
commencement
English
Noun
commencement (plural commencements)
- The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.
- The time of Henry VII ... nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed modern history. -allam.
- 1800, William Took, View of the Russian empire during the reign of Catharine the Second
- Yet from the commencement of mining there have been unnoble proprietors of mines, who belonged to the class of merchants.
- The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
- A graduation ceremony, from a school, college or university.
Related terms
Coordinate terms
- (graduation ceremony): convocation
Translations
an act of commencing or beginning
day degrees are conferred
graduation ceremony
References
- commencement in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
French
Etymology
Old French comencement, corresponding to commencer + -ment
Pronunciation
Noun
commencement m (plural commencements)
Middle French
Etymology
Old French comencement, corresponding to commencer + -ment
Noun
commencement m (plural commencemens)