I. To begin, originate (only late Lat.): ver tunc initiatur, Firm. 2, 12: brassicam seremus vel irriguo loco, vel pluviā initiante madefacto, when the rainy season begins (which begins again after the dog-days), Pall. 7, 4: “ex his initiata sunt cetera,” Tert. adv. Val. 15: “initiatum jurgium,” Cod. Just. 3, 6, 3 al.—
II. To initiate, consecrate, or admit to secret religious rites.
A. Of the sacred mysteries of Ceres: “initienturque eo ritu Cereri, quo Romae initiantur,” Cic. Leg. 2, 15, 37; cf. id. ib. 2, 9, 21; Liv. 31, 14, 7; Just. 11, 7.—Of other mysteries: “initiari Bacchis,” Liv. 39, 14, 8; 39, 9, 4: “magicis cernis aliquem,” Plin. 30, 2, 6, § 17; Varr. ap. Non. 108, 21.—
B. In gen., to initiate into, consecrate to any thing (rare): “neque enim est sanctius sacris iisdem quam studiis initiari,” Quint. 1, 2, 20: “litteris,” Plin. Ep. 5, 15, 8; Symm. Ep. 4, 20.—
C. To baptize (eccl. Lat.), Tert. Monog. 8, de Joh. Bapt.
