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in·au·gu·rate

(ĭn-ôgyə-rāt′, -gə-)

tr.v. in·au·gu·rat·ed, in·au·gu·rat·ing, in·au·gu·rates

1. To induct into office by a formal ceremony.

2. To cause to begin, especially officially or formally: inaugurate a new immigration policy. See Synonyms at begin.

3. To open or begin use of formally with a ceremony; dedicate: inaugurate a community center.

[Latin inaugurāre, inaugurāt-, to consecrate by augury : in-, intensive pref.; see IN-² + augurāre, to augur (from augur, soothsayer; see aug- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).]

in·augu·ra′tor n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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