a. (Math.) Having a common beginning. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. initialis, from initium a going in, entrance, beginning, fr. inire to go into, to enter, begin; pref. in- in + ire to go: cf. F. initial. See Issue, and cf. Commence. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Of or pertaining to the beginning; marking the commencement; incipient; commencing; as, the initial symptoms of a disease. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Placed at the beginning; standing at the head, as of a list or series; as, the initial letters of a name. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The first letter of a word or a name. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Initialed p. pr. & vb. n. Initialing. ] To put an initial to; to mark with an initial of initials. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. initialize. [ Chiefly Brit. ] [ PJC ]

v. t. to assign an initial value to (a variable or set of variables in a computer program); as, many bugs are caused by a failure to initialize variables. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adv. In an initial or incipient manner or degree; at the beginning. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. pl. The first letters of a person's first and last name, and sometimes also the first letters of the middle name or names; as, sign your initials in the margin; people identified only by their initials. [ PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Initiated p. pr. & vb. n. Initiating ] [ L. initiatus, p. p. of initiare to begin, fr. initium beginning. See Initial. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To introduce by a first act; to make a beginning with; to set afoot; to originate; to commence; to begin or enter upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

How are changes of this sort to be initiated? I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce. [ 1913 Webster ]

Providence would only initiate mankind into the useful knowledge of her treasures, leaving the rest to employ our industry. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To introduce into a society or organization; to confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial honor after death. Bp. Warburton. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty. Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative. [ R. ] Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. initiatus, p. p. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Unpracticed; untried; new. [ Obs. ] “The initiate fear that wants hard use.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted. [ 1913 Webster ]

To rise in science as in bliss,
Initiate in the secrets of the skies. Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who is, or is to be, initiated. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. initiatio: cf. F. initiation. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act of initiating, or the process of being initiated or introduced; as, initiation into a society, into business, literature, etc. “The initiation of courses of events.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The form or ceremony by which a person is introduced into any society; mode of entrance into an organized body; especially, the rite of admission into a secret society or order. [ 1913 Webster ]

Silence is the first thing that is taught us at our initiation into sacred mysteries. Broome. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. initiatif. ] Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. initiative. ] 1. An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins. [ 1913 Webster ]

The undeveloped initiatives of good things to come. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The right or power to introduce a new measure or course of action, as in legislation; as, the initiative in respect to revenue bills is in the House of Representatives. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Political Science) The right or procedure by which legislation may be introduced or enacted directly by the people, as in the Swiss Confederation and in many of the States of the United States; -- chiefly used with the. The procedure of the initiative is essentially as follows: Upon the filing of a petition signed by a required number or percentage of qualified voters the desired measure must be submitted to a popular vote, and upon receiving the required majority (commonly a majority of those voting on the measure submitted) it becomes a law. In some States of the United States the initiative is only local; in others it is state-wide and includes the making of constitutional amendments. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. a character trait manifested in a readiness and ability to initiate action; an enterprising spirit; a go-getting attitude; energy; drive; get-up-and-go. [ PJC ]

5. in interactive activities, such as conversation or games, the right or opportunity to set the course of action; as, to have the initiative. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. ] One who initiates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Suitable for an introduction or beginning; introductory; prefatory; as, an initiatory step. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Tending or serving to initiate; introducing by instruction, or by the use and application of symbols or ceremonies; elementary; rudimentary. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some initiatory treatises in the law. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

Two initiatory rites of the same general import can not exist together. J. M. Mason. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An introductory act or rite. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]