initiative English · revision 5685

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1793|origins=fr initiative}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/, US /ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.t̬ɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The noun is [[bor|fr|initiative]] (16th century),^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|initiātus]], the past participle of [[m|la|initiāre|t=to begin]], from [[m|la|initium|t=a beginning]] (see [[initial]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) The adjective, from 1642, was formed in English from [[initiate]] and [[-ive]].^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The noun, the power of beginning something: 1775 in Etymonline; the first step, and the power or right to begin something, 1793 in the OED and MWU.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The disposition to take the lead, the quality of enterprise, is from 1793.^(Etymonline) ''To take the initiative'' is recorded by 1815 in Etymonline, 1856 in the OED, after French prendre l'initiative.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In political science the initiative is the right of citizens to propose a law and put it to a vote, from 1889.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) A new plan or measure to deal with a problem, as in ''a peace initiative'', is a later sense.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1642 – the adjective.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1775 – the power to begin.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1793 – the first step; enterprise.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1815 – ''take the initiative''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1889 – the citizens' initiative.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The ability to act and make decisions without being told; [[enterprise]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A new plan or action to deal with a problem: ''a peace initiative''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # The first step, or the power to take it: ''to take the initiative''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The right of citizens to propose a new [[law]] and have it put to a [[vote]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[initiatively]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[initial]]

+ * [[initialism]]

+ * [[initialize]]

+ * [[initiate]]

+ * [[initiation]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}