initiate

Noun

• people who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity
  • it is very familiar to the initiate
    

• someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

• someone new to a field or activity

Verb

• set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
  • Hitler's attack on Poland led up to World War II
    

• bring up a topic for discussion

• accept people into an exclusive society or group, usually with some rite
  • African men are initiated when they reach puberty
    

• take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of
  • This South African surgeon pioneered heart transplants
    

• bring into being
  • He initiated a new program
    
  • Start a foundation
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  enlightened , learned person , pundit , savant , novice , beginner , tyro , tiro , lead up , broach , induct , pioneer , originate , start