喜樂美語

這個拼法底下其實是2個不同的字，意思沒有關係， 只是長得一樣。下面分開列出來。跳到 start something official · new member (person)

1

initiate

v

唸法不同同樣的拼法，這個字的唸法跟另一個不一樣。/ɪˈnɪʃieɪt/

核心畫面

One way to picture it: someone opens a door that was shut, and the thing on the other side starts moving. The word is about the first step — not the finishing, not the running of it, but the moment where nothing was happening and now something is.

本來是一扇關著的門，有人把它推開，門後的東西就開始動了。initiate 講的一直是那個「起頭」的動作——不是做完，…更多收起本來是一扇關著的門，有人把它推開，門後的東西就開始動了。initiate 講的一直是那個「起頭」的動作——不是做完，也不是維持，而是從「還沒開始」跨到「開始了」的那一下。這個字帶著一點正式感：推門的人是有權限、有身分的人，被推開的通常也是一件正經事，不是隨口說說。

From the word’s history

From Latin initium 'a beginning, an entrance', built on in- 'in' + ire 'to go' — literally 'a going in'. The English word keeps both halves: you set something going, and you take someone in.

來自拉丁文 initium（開始、入口），拆開是 in-（進入）+ ire（走）——字面就是「走進去」。有趣的是英文把這兩個意思都留下來了：一邊是「讓事情開始走」，一邊是「把人帶進去」。所以同一個字既能發起計畫，也能帶人入門。

Latin initiātus / initium (in- + īre), as recorded in the origin note supplied with this entry

Two branches

讓事情開始走

這一支就是核心畫面本身：把一件還沒動的事推動起來。

start something official · verb · C2

To arrange for something important to start, such as an official process, a new plan, or a serious discussion.

發起

把人帶進去

同樣是推開門，但這次門後不是一件事，而是一個世界；被推進去的是一個人。核心的「開始」變成「這個人的參與開始了」。

introduce someone to · verb · C2

To tell someone about something, or show them how to do it, so they begin to take part in it.

帶入門

A second word, same spelling

2

initiate

n

唸法不同同樣的拼法，這個字的唸法跟另一個不一樣。/ɪˈnɪʃiət/

核心畫面

One way to hold it: the person who has already walked through the door. They were outside, the group let them in and taught them what insiders know — and now the word names them by that fact.

那個已經走過門的人。他本來在圈子外面，團體把他放進來、告訴他裡面的門道，於是這個字就用「被帶進去過」這件事來稱呼他。…更多收起那個已經走過門的人。他本來在圈子外面，團體把他放進來、告訴他裡面的門道，於是這個字就用「被帶進去過」這件事來稱呼他。名詞的 initiate 幾乎總是被動的身分——不是他自己闖進去的，是別人接納了他。

From the word’s history

The noun is the verb's participle turned into a person: Latin initiātus means 'one who has been initiated'. English simply keeps the participle and lets it stand for the person.

這個名詞是動詞的過去分詞直接變成人：拉丁文 initiātus 意思就是「被帶進去了的那個人」。英文原封不動地把這個分詞拿來當名詞用，所以它天生就帶著「被動、已完成」的味道——不是「進去的人」，是「已經被領進去的人」。

Latin initiātus (past participle of initiō), per the origin note supplied with this entry

原始詞典資料9 筆記錄

以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，原文照列，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。

initiateverb詞源 1/ɪˈnɪʃ.i.eɪt/

  • 1

    To begin; to start.

    • How are changes of this sort to be initiated?
    • This is a very strong move, aptly timed. It initiates the tactical conception which routs Black's hopes.
  • 2

    To instruct in the rudiments or principles; to introduce.

    • 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.

    • 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

    To do the first act; to perform the first rite; to take the initiative.

    • The king himself initiates to the power; Scatters with quivering hand the sacred flour, And the stream sprinkles.

initiatenoun詞源 2/ɪˈnɪʃ.i.ət/

  • 1

    A new member of an organization.

  • 2

    One who has been through a ceremony of initiation.

  • 3

    One who is oriented in and familiar with a topic or subject; especially, one who is an expert in it.

initiateadj詞源 3/ɪˈnɪʃ.i.ət/

  • 1

    obsoleteUnpracticed, untried, new.

    • the initiate fear that wants hard use
  • 2

    obsoleteBegun, commenced, introduced to or in the rudiments (of), newly admitted.

    • To rise in science as in bliss, / Initiate in the secrets of the skies.

資料來源：英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary（CC BY-SA 4.0）。 原文照列，未經改寫。