v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Commenced p. pr. & vb. n. Commencing. ] [ F. commencer, OF. comencier, fr. L. com- + initiare to begin. See Initiate. ] 1. To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to begin. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here the anthem doth commence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His heaven commences ere the world be past. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To begin to be, or to act as. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We commence judges ourselves. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To take a degree at a university. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many a wooer doth commence his suit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It is the practice of good writers to use the verbal noun (instead of the infinitive with to) after commence; as, he commenced studying, not he commenced to study. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. commencement. ] 1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start. [ 1913 Webster ]

The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed “modern history.” Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others. [ 1913 Webster ]