different between initialize vs initiate

English

Alternative forms

• initialise

Etymology

initial +? -ize

Verb

initialize (third-person singular simple present initializes, present participle initializing, simple past and past participle initialized)

1. To assign initial values to something
2. (computing) To assign an initial value to a variable
3. (computing) To format a storage medium prior to use
4. (computing) To prepare any hardware (such as a printer or scanner) for use

Translations

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin initi?tus, perfect passive participle of initi? (“begin, originate”), from initium (“a beginning”), from ine? (“go in, enter upon, begin”), from in + e? (“go”).

Pronunciation

• (verb) IPA^(key): /??n??.?.e?t/
• (noun, adjective) IPA^(key): /??n??.?.?t/
• Hyphenation: ini?ti?ate

Noun

initiate (plural initiates)

1. A new member of an organization.
2. One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.

Translations

Verb

initiate (third-person singular simple present initiates, present participle initiating, simple past and past participle initiated)

1. (transitive) To begin; to start.
   • 1859-1860, Isaac Taylor, Ultimate Civilisation

     How are changes of this sort to be initiated?

2. To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.
   • 1653-1655, Henry More, An Antidote against Atheism

     Divine Providence would only initiate and enter mankind into the useful knowledge of her, leaving the rest to employ our industry.

   • to initiate his pupil in any part of learning

3. To confer membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with mysterious rites or ceremonies.
   • 1738-1741, William Warburton, Divine Legation of Moses demonstrated on the Principles of a Religious Deist

     The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial honour after death.

   • He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he was one and twenty.

4. (intransitive) To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Alexander Pope to this entry?)

Antonyms

• (to begin): end, conclude, complete, finish

Related terms

Translations

Adjective

initiate (comparative more initiate, superlative most initiate)

1. (obsolete) Unpractised; untried; new.
2. (obsolete) Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the rudiments; newly admitted.

Further reading

• initiate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• initiate in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• initiate at OneLook Dictionary Search

Latin

Participle

initi?te

1. vocative masculine singular of initi?tus