1. Bring into being
   "He initiated a new program";
   - originate, start, father
    
2. Set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
   "The discovery initiated a new phase of research";
   - lead up
    
3. Take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
   "This South African surgeon initiated heart transplants";
   - pioneer
    
4. Bring up a topic for discussion
   "She hesitated to initiate the sensitive subject during the meeting";
   - broach
    
5. Accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite
   "African men are initiated when they reach puberty";
   - induct

1. Someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
   "The university invited several initiates to speak at the conference";
   - learned person, pundit, savant
    
2. Someone new to a field or activity
   "the initiate made a brief appearance in the first period";
   - novice, beginner, tyro, tiro, rookie [informal]
    
3. People who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity
   "it is very familiar to the initiate";
   - enlightened

Derived forms: initiating, initiates, initiated

See also: originate in

Type of: admit, cause, create, discuss, do, engender, hash out, include, let in, make, people, scholar, scholarly person, talk over, unskilled person

Encyclopedia: Initiate