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initier

to initiate, to introduce

verb ee-nee-SYEH Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Also means

to launch, to start

Usage Note

Initier can be transitive with a person as object — initier quelqu'un à la musique ('to introduce someone to music') — or with a project as object, meaning to launch or set in motion. The reflexive s'initier à means to take one's first steps in a subject. Note that English 'initiate' in the sense of 'begin something' is a closer match for this second use than the French commencer.

Examples

"Elle l'a initié à la plongée sous-marine."

Natural Translation

She introduced him to scuba diving.

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