initiate

/i'niʃiit/

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The word "initiate" can function as both a noun and a verb, and it has several meanings and uses. Let's break it down:

As a Verb:

1. To Start or Set in Motion: When you initiate something, you are the one who begins it or makes it happen.

   • Example: "She decided to initiate a new project at work."

2. To Introduce a Topic: You can also use "initiate" when you bring up a subject for discussion.

   • Example: "He initiated a conversation about climate change during the meeting."

3. To Accept into a Group: In certain contexts, "initiate" means to admit someone into a special group or society, often through a ceremony.

   • Example: "The club initiated new members during the annual ceremony."

4. To Lead or Pioneer: To initiate can also mean to take the lead in creating something new, like a program or an event.

   • Example: "They initiated a campaign to raise awareness about health issues."

As a Noun:

1. An Initiate: As a noun, an "initiate" refers to someone who has been introduced to a particular field or activity, especially one that is complex or has special knowledge.
   • Example: "After months of training, she became an initiate in the art of martial arts."

Advanced Usage:

• In some cultures, particularly in Africa, initiation ceremonies mark the transition into adulthood. For example, "African men are often initiated when they reach puberty as a rite of passage."

Variants:

• The verb form is "initiate," while the noun form is "initiate." There are no commonly used adjective forms, but you might encounter phrases like "initiation process."

Different Meanings:

• While "initiate" primarily means to start or introduce something, in some contexts, it can also refer to the process of undergoing a rite of passage or joining a group.

Synonyms:

• Some synonyms for "initiate" include: begin, start, commence, launch, introduce, and activate.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren't specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "initiate," but you might say "initiate a dialogue" or "initiate contact," which means to start a conversation or reach out to someone.

Summary:

To summarize, "initiate" is a versatile word that can mean to start something, bring up a discussion, or accept someone into a group.

Academic

Noun

1. people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity
   • it is very familiar to the initiate
2. someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
3. someone new to a field or activity

Verb

1. set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
   • Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II
2. bring up a topic for discussion
3. accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite
   • African men are initiated when they reach puberty
4. take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
   • This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants
5. bring into being
   • He initiated a new program
   • Start a foundation

Synonyms

• enlightened
• learned person
• pundit
• savant
• novice
• beginner
• tyro
• tiro
• lead up
• broach
• induct
• pioneer
• originate
• start