Overview of noun initiate

The noun initiate has 3 senses

• novice, beginner, tyro, tiro, initiate -- (someone new to a field or activity)


• initiate, learned person, pundit, savant -- (someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field)


• initiate, enlightened -- (people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity; "it is very familiar to the initiate")

Overview of verb initiate

The verb initiate has 5 senses

• originate, initiate, start -- (bring into being; "He initiated a new program"; "Start a foundation")


• initiate, pioneer -- (take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants")


• initiate, induct -- (accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite; "African men are initiated when they reach puberty")


• broach, initiate -- (bring up a topic for discussion)


• lead up, initiate -- (set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for; "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II")