The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, n.
   One who is, or is to be, initiated.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, v. i.
   To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the
   initiative. [R.] --Pope.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, 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.
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            How are changes of this sort to be initiated? --I.
                                                  Taylor.
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   2. To acquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the
      rudiments or principles; to introduce.
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            Providence would only initiate mankind into the
            useful knowledge of her treasures, leaving the rest
            to employ our industry.               --Dr. H. More.
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            To initiate his pupil into any part of learning, an
            ordinary skill in the governor is enough. --Locke.
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   3. To introduce into a society or organization; to confer
      membership on; especially, to admit to a secret order with
      mysterious rites or ceremonies.
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            The Athenians believed that he who was initiated and
            instructed in the mysteries would obtain celestial
            honor after death.                    --Bp.
                                                  Warburton.
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            He was initiated into half a dozen clubs before he
            was one and twenty.                   --Spectator.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Initiate \In*i"ti*ate\, a. [L. initiatus, p. p.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. Unpracticed; untried; new. [Obs.] "The initiate fear that
      wants hard use." --Shak.
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   2. Begun; commenced; introduced to, or instructed in, the
      rudiments; newly admitted.
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            To rise in science as in bliss,
            Initiate in the secrets of the skies. --Young.
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   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]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

initiate
    n 1: someone new to a field or activity [syn: novice,
         beginner, tyro, tiro, initiate]
    2: someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly
       field [syn: initiate, learned person, pundit, savant]
    3: people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some
       field or activity; "it is very familiar to the initiate"
       [syn: initiate, enlightened] [ant: uninitiate]
    v 1: bring into being; "He initiated a new program"; "Start a
         foundation" [syn: originate, initiate, start]
    2: take the lead or initiative in; participate in the
       development of; "This South African surgeon pioneered heart
       transplants" [syn: initiate, pioneer]
    3: accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually
       with some rite; "African men are initiated when they reach
       puberty" [syn: initiate, induct]
    4: bring up a topic for discussion [syn: broach, initiate]
    5: set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for;
       "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II" [syn:
       lead up, initiate]