initiative

• POS: Adjective, Noun
• HYPHEN: in=i=ti=a=tive
• COUNT in NET: 10 in 10 verses (in OT : 2 in 2 verses) (in NT : 8 in 8 verses)

CIDE DICTIONARY

initiative, a. [Cf. F. initiatif.].

 Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary.  [1913 Webster]

initiative, n. [Cf. F. initiative.].

•  An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins.  [1913 Webster]

  "The undeveloped initiatives of good things to come."  [1913 Webster]
•  The right or power to introduce a new measure or course of action, as in legislation; as, the initiative in respect to revenue bills is in the House of Representatives.  [1913 Webster]
•  The right or procedure by which legislation may be introduced or enacted directly by the people, as in the Swiss Confederation and in many of the States of the United States; -- chiefly used with the. The procedure of the initiative is essentially as follows: Upon the filing of a petition signed by a required number or percentage of qualified voters the desired measure must be submitted to a popular vote, and upon receiving the required majority (commonly a majority of those voting on the measure submitted) it becomes a law. In some States of the United States the initiative is only local; in others it is state-wide and includes the making of constitutional amendments.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  a character trait manifested in a readiness and ability to initiate action; an enterprising spirit; a go-getting attitude; energy; drive; get-up-and-go.  [PJC]
•  in interactive activities, such as conversation or games, the right or opportunity to set the course of action; as, to have the initiative.  [PJC]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

initiative, n. & adj.
--n.
1 the ability to initiate things; enterprise (I'm afraid he lacks all initiative).
2 a first step; origination (a peace initiative).
3 the power or right to begin something.
4 Polit. (esp. in Switzerland and some US States) the right of citizens outside the legislature to originate legislation.
--adj. beginning; originating.

Idiom

have the initiative esp. Mil. be able to control the enemy's movements. on one's own initiative without being prompted by others. take the initiative (usu. foll. by in + verbal noun) be the first to take action.

Etymology

F (as INITIATE)

THESAURUS

initiative

abecedarian, aboriginal, adventuresomeness, adventurousness, aggression, aggressiveness, alpha, ambition, ambitiousness, antenatal, autochthonous, bang, baptismal, beginning, breaking-in, budding, constitutional referendum, creative, dash, direct initiative, drive, dynamism, elan, elemental, elementary, embryonic, energy, enterprise, enterprisingness, facultative referendum, fetal, fire, first, first blush, first glance, first impression, first inning, first lap, first move, first round, first sight, first stage, first step, force, forcefulness, formative, foundational, fundamental, gambit, gestatory, get-up-and-get, get-up-and-go, getup, ginger, go, go-ahead, go-getting, go-to-itiveness, gumption, hustle, in embryo, in its infancy, in the bud, inaugural, inceptive, inchoate, inchoative, incipient, incunabular, indirect initiative, infant, infantile, initial, initiatory, introductive, introductory, inventive, kick, le premier pas, lead, leadership, mandate, mandatory referendum, nascent, natal, opening move, original, parturient, pep, pepper, piss and vinegar, pizzazz, plebiscite, plebiscitum, poop, postnatal, pregnant, prenatal, primal, primary, prime, primeval, primitive, primitiveness, primitivity, primogenial, procreative, punch, push, pushfulness, pushiness, pushingness, recall, referendum, resourcefulness, rudimental, rudimentary, snap, spirit, spunk, starch, statutory referendum, thrust, up-and-comingness, ur, venturesomeness, venturousness, verve, vigor, vim, warming-up, zing, zip

ROGET THESAURUS

initiative

Beginning

N beginning, commencement, opening, outset, incipience, inception, inchoation, introduction, alpha, initial, inauguration, debut, le premier pas, embarcation, rising of the curtain, maiden speech, outbreak, onset, brunt, initiative, move, first move, narrow end of the wedge, thin end of the wedge, fresh start, new departure, origin, source, rise, bud, germ, egg, rudiment, genesis, primogenesis, birth, nativity, cradle, infancy, start, inception, creation, starting point, dawn, evolution, title-page, head, heading, van, caption, fatihah, entrance, entry, inlet, orifice, mouth, chops, lips, porch, portal, portico, propylon, door, gate, gateway, postern, wicket, threshold, vestibule, propylaeum, skirts, border, first stage, first blush, first glance, first impression, first sight, rudiments, elements, outlines, grammar, alphabet, ABC, beginning, initial, initiatory, initiative, inceptive, introductory, incipient, proemial, inaugural, inchoate, inchoative, embryonic, rudimental, primogenial, primeval, primitive, primordial, aboriginal, natal, nascent, first, foremost, leading, maiden, begun, just begun, at the beginning, in the beginning first, in the first place, imprimis, first and foremost, in limine, in the bud, in embryo, in its infancy, from the beginning, from its birth, ab initio, ab ovo, ab incunabilis, ab origine, let's get going!, let's get this show on the road!, up and at 'em!, aller Anfang ist schwer, dimidium facti qui coepit habet, omnium rerum principia parva sunt, beginning, commencement, opening, outset, incipience, inception, inchoation, introduction, alpha, initial, inauguration, debut, le premier pas, embarcation, rising of the curtain, maiden speech, outbreak, onset, brunt, initiative, move, first move, narrow end of the wedge, thin end of the wedge, fresh start, new departure, origin, source, rise, bud, germ, egg, rudiment, genesis, primogenesis, birth, nativity, cradle, infancy, start, inception, creation, starting point, dawn, evolution, title-page, head, heading, van, caption, fatihah, entrance, entry, inlet, orifice, mouth, chops, lips, porch, portal, portico, propylon, door, gate, gateway, postern, wicket, threshold, vestibule, propylaeum, skirts, border, first stage, first blush, first glance, first impression, first sight, rudiments, elements, outlines, grammar, alphabet, ABC, beginning, initial, initiatory, initiative, inceptive, introductory, incipient, proemial, inaugural, inchoate, inchoative, embryonic, rudimental, primogenial, primeval, primitive, primordial, aboriginal, natal, nascent, first, foremost, leading, maiden, begun, just begun, at the beginning, in the beginning first, in the first place, imprimis, first and foremost, in limine, in the bud, in embryo, in its infancy, from the beginning, from its birth, ab initio, ab ovo, ab incunabilis, ab origine, let's get going!, let's get this show on the road!, up and at 'em!, aller Anfang ist schwer, dimidium facti qui coepit habet, omnium rerum principia parva sunt.

Politics

N politics, political science, candidacy, campaign, campaigning, electioneering, partisanship, ideology, factionalism, election, poll, ballot, vote, referendum, recall, initiative, voice, suffrage, plumper, cumulative vote, plebiscitum, plebiscite, vox populi, electioneering, voting, elective franchise, straight ticket, opinion poll, popularity poll, issue, opinion, stand, position, program, platform, party line, democracy, republicanism, communism, statism, state socialism, socialism, conservatism, toryism, liberalism, whigism, theocracy, constitutional monarchy, party, Democratic Party, Republican Party, Socialist Party, Communist Party, Federalist Party, Bull Moose Party, Abolitionist Party, Christian Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, National Socialist Worker's Party, Nazi Party, Liberal Party, Labor Party, Conservative Party, ticket, slate, politician activist, candidate, aspirant, hopeful, office-seeker, front- runner, dark horse, long shot, shoo-in, supporter, backer, political worker, campaign worker, lobbyist, contributor, party hack, ward heeler, regional candidate, favorite son, running mate, stalking horse, perpetual candidate, political animal, political contribution, campaign contribution, political action committee, PAC, political district, electoral division, electoral district, bailiwick, electorate, constituents, get-out-the-vote campaign, political education, negative campaigning, dirty politics, smear campaign, also-ran, loser, has-been, office holder, official, occupant of a position, public servant, incumbent, winner, political, partisan, Money is the mother's milk of politics.