The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Commence \Com*mence"\ (k[o^]m*m[e^]ns"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   Commenced (k[o^]m*m[e^]nst"); p. pr. & vb. n.
   Commencing.] [F. commencer, OF. comencier, fr. L. com- +
   initiare to begin. See Initiate.]
   1. To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to
      begin.
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            Here the anthem doth commence.        --Shak.
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            His heaven commences ere the world be past.
                                                  --Goldsmith.
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   2. To begin to be, or to act as. [Archaic]
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            We commence judges ourselves.         --Coleridge.
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   3. To take a degree at a university. [Eng.]
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            I question whether the formality of commencing was
            used in that age.                     --Fuller.
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