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Webster 1913 Edition

Initiate

In-i′ti-ate

,
Verb.
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.

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.
[Low L. initio, to enter or begin, from initum, ineo, to enter; in and eo, to go.]
1.
To instruct in rudiments or principles; or to introduce into any society or sect by instructing the candidate in its
principles 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.
To do the first act; to perform the first rite.

INI'TIATE

,
Adj.
Unpracticed.
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.
One who is initiated.

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