Initiative
[ɪ'nɪʃɪətɪv;-ʃə-] or [ɪ'nɪʃətɪv]
Definition
(a.) Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary.
(n.) An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins.
(n.) 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.
Editor: Matt
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Inceptive, initiatory.
n. Beginning, first step.
Editor: Trudy
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Start, leadership, commencement, example
ANT:Wake, rear, prosecution, termination
Checked by Erwin
Examples
- The enemy, however, had taken the initiative. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- They understood how difficult it is to transmit knowledge without putting initiative in jeopardy and that quiet int ellect is easily dismayed in the presence of bold speech. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Personal initiative and individual genius are poorly regarded: many socialists are suspicious of originality. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- These are such as in my experience have aroused the greatest interest and initiative, and such as have at the same time given the maximum benefit from the informational standpoint. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- But it is a caricature of democracy to make it also the law of individual initiative. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Whatever initiative and imaginative vision he possesses will be called into play and control his impulses and habits. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- You cannot endow even the best machine with initiative; the jolliest steam-roller will not plant flowers. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- And he imitates the means because he wishes, on his own behalf, as part of his own initiative, to take an effective part in the game. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Active habits involve thought, invention, and initiative in applying capacities to new aims. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- I was anxious that the rebels should not take the initiative in the morning, and therefore ordered Hancock to make an assault at 4. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The real value of a book depends not so much upon the information given as upon the permanent interest stimulated and the initiative aroused. Bertha M. Clark. General Science.
- You see my initiative doesn't go beyond putting myself at your disposal. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Under these circumstances I hesitated about allowing the initiative to be taken. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- You hear it said that the initiative and referendum are a return to the New England town meeting. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- The initiative and referendum will help: they are a method of voting on definite issues instead of electing an administration in bulk. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- And the rigid examination system that killed all intellectual initiatives has been destroyed. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- In the passion of their good intentions they have not hesitated to conceal facts, suppress thought, crush disturbing initiatives and apparently detrimental desires. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Unco-ordinated human initiatives lead to nothing but social chaos. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- It is this life-sapping quality of our politics that should be fought--its wanton waste of the initiatives we have--its stupid indifference. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
Inputed by Edgar