initiate in WordNet English dictionary

1. someone new to a field or activity
   novice  beginner  tyro  tiro  initiate 
   
2. people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity
   "it is very familiar to the initiate"
   initiate  enlightened 
   
3. someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
   initiate  learned person  pundit  savant 
   

1. bring up a topic for discussion
   broach  initiate 
   
2. accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite
   "African men are initiated when they reach puberty"
   initiate  induct 
   
3. set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
   "Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II"
   lead up  initiate 
   
4. take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
   "This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants"
   initiate  pioneer 
   
5. bring into being
   "He initiated a new program"; "Start a foundation"
   originate  initiate  start