Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
Initial Teaching Alphabet
initialise
initialism
initialize
initially
initiate
initiated
initiation
initiative
initiatory
inj.
inject
injectant
injection
injection molding
injector
injera
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "initiati..." in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

initiative

in·i·tia·tive [ i níshətiv ]


noun  (plural in·i·tia·tives)
Definition:
 
1. ability to act on your own: the ability to act and make decisions without the help or advice of other people
You'll just have to use your initiative.

2. introductory step: the first step in a process that, once taken, determines subsequent events
decided to take the initiative

3. plan: a plan or strategy designed to deal with a particular problem
a peace initiative

4. advantageous position: a favorable position that allows somebody to take preemptive action or control events
lose the initiative

5. politics right to introduce new legislation: the right to bring a new law or measure before a legislative body

6. politics proposal of legislation by citizens: a process valid in many U.S. states and in Switzerland that allows citizens to propose legislation by petition



adjective 
Definition:
 
of initiation: used in or relating to initiation ( formal )

[Late 18th century. < French< Latin initiat- (see initiate)]

in·i·tia·tive·ly adverb
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
MSN Shopping
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft