initiative

initiative
[[t]ɪnɪ̱ʃətɪv[/t]]
♦♦♦
initiatives
1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N to-inf An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem.

Government initiatives to help young people have been inadequate...

There's talk of a new peace initiative.

2) N-SING: the N In a fight or contest, if you have the initiative, you are in a better position than your opponents to decide what to do next.

We have the initiative; we intend to keep it...

He paused enough to consider the options but never so long as to lose the initiative.

3) N-UNCOUNT If you have initiative, you have the ability to decide what to do next and to do it, without needing other people to tell you what to do.

She was disappointed by his lack of initiative.

...workers who are able to sort out problems on their own initiative.

4) PHRASE: V inflects If you take the initiative in a situation, you are the first person to act, and are therefore able to control the situation.

We are the only power willing to take the initiative in the long struggle to end the war...

She knew she had to take the initiative and maintain an aggressive game throughout.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • Initiative — Initiative …   Deutsch Wörterbuch

  • initiative — [ inisjativ ] n. f. • 1567, rare av. fin XVIIIe; du lat. initiare « initier », en bas lat. « commencer » 1 ♦ Action d une personne qui est la première à proposer, entreprendre, organiser qqch. Prendre l initiative d une démarche (⇒ entreprendre,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • initiative — i‧ni‧tia‧tive [ɪˈnɪʆətɪv] noun 1. [uncountable] the ability to make decisions and take action without waiting for someone to tell you what to do: • He encourages initiative and new ideas. • You must be prepared to work on your own initiative. 2.… …   Financial and business terms

  • initiative — ini·tia·tive /i ni shə tiv, shē ə tiv/ n 1: the esp. introductory series of steps taken to cause a desired result the deposing party would ordinarily be required to take the initiative in arranging a deposition Andrews v. Bradshaw, 895 P.2d 973… …   Law dictionary

  • Initiative — In*i ti*a*tive, n. [Cf. F. initiative.] 1. An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins. [1913 Webster] The undeveloped initiatives of good things to come. I. Taylor. [1913 Webster] 2. The right or power to introduce a new… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Initiative — Sf std. (19. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus frz. initiative (législative) Vorschlagsrecht (für Gesetze), Gesetzesinitiative , zu frz. initier einführen, den Anfang machen, einweihen , aus l. initiāre, zu l. initium n. Anfang, Eingang, Ursprung ,… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • initiative — 1793, that which begins, also power of initiating, from Fr. initiative (1560s), from L. initiatus (see INITIATION (Cf. initiation)). First attested in English in writings of William Godwin. Phrase take the initiative recorded by 1844 …   Etymology dictionary

  • initiative — ► NOUN 1) the ability to act independently and with a fresh approach. 2) the power or opportunity to act before others do. 3) a new development or fresh approach to a problem. ● on one s own initiative Cf. ↑on one s own initiative …   English terms dictionary

  • Initiative — »erster Anstoß zu einer Handlung; Entschlusskraft, Unternehmungsgeist«: Das Wort wurde im 18. Jh. aus frz. initiative entlehnt, einem staatsrechtlichen Begriff mit der Bed. »Vorschlagsrecht«, wie er noch heute in der Schweiz gilt. Die allgemeine… …   Das Herkunftswörterbuch

  • Initiative — In*i ti*a*tive, a. [Cf. F. initiatif.] Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Initiatīve — (v. lat.), 1) das Recht, etwas anzutragen, vorzuschlagen; 2) Einleitung zu einer Sache; 3) nach den Begriffen des constitutionellen Staatsrechts das Recht, der Volksvertretung einen Gesetzesentwurf zur Berathung vorzulegen. Die I. unterscheidet… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

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