Initiate | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

In-i'ti-āte, v. t.

verbtransitive

(in-īsh/ī-āt, 95), v. t. [imp. & p. p. INITIATED; p. pr. & vb. n. INITIATING.] [Lat. initiare, initiatum, from initium; Fr. initier, Sp. iniciar, It. iniziare. See supra.]

Sense 1. To introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to begin.

How are changes of this sort to be initiated? I. Taylor.

Sense 2. To acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce to; to teach.

To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough. Locke.

Sense 3. To introduce into a society or organization, or secret ceremonies; to admit.

The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial honor after death. Warburton.

In-i'ti-āte, v. i.

verbintransitive

To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative. Pope.

In-i'ti-ate, a.

adjective

(45), a. [Lat. initiatus, p. p. of initiare.]

Unpracticed; new. [Obs.] “The initiate fear that wants hard use.” Shak.
Begun; commenced; incomplete, as a right, and the like; introduced to a knowledge of; instructed in; as, a tenant by the courtesy initiate becomes so by the birth of a child, but his estate is not consummate till the death of his wife. Blackstone.

To rise in science as in bliss, Initiate in the secrets of the skies. Young.

In-i'ti-ate, n.

noun

n. One who is initiated. J. Barlow.