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in·i·ti·ate (ĭ-nĭshē-āt′)
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tr.v. in·i·ti·at·ed, in·i·ti·at·ing, in·i·ti·ates
1. To set going by taking the first step; begin: initiated trade with developing nations. See Synonyms at begin.
2. To introduce to a new field, interest, skill, or activity: initiated the students into the world of opera.
3. To admit (someone) into membership, as with a ritual or ceremony.
adj. (-ĭt)
1. Initiated or admitted, as to membership or a position of authority.
2. Introduced to something new, such as a new field of knowledge.
n. (-ĭt)
1. One who is being or has been initiated into an organization.
2. One who has been introduced to or has attained some knowledge in a particular field.
[Latin initiāre, initiāt-, from initium, beginning; see ei- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
in·iti·a′tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

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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