initiative

initiative
noun
1 YOUR OWN DECISIONS (U) the ability to make decisions and take action without waiting for someone to tell you what to do: I wish my son would show a bit more initiative. | use your (own) initiative: Don't keep asking me for advice. Use your initiative. | on your own initiative (=without being told what to do): Lieutenant Carlos was not obeying orders. He acted on his own initiative.
2 PLAN (C) an important new plan or process that has been started in order to achieve a particular aim or to solve a particular problem: a government initiative to help exporters
3 ADVANTAGE the initiative the power to gain an advantage by taking actions that will influence events: seize/hold/lose the initiative: Zhukov was quick to seize the initiative and launched a massive counter attack.
4 take the initiative to be the first one to take action to improve a situation or relationship, especially when other people are waiting for someone else to do something: Why don't you take the initiative and arrange a meeting?
5 TO CHANGE A LAW (C) law a process by which ordinary citizens can propose a change in the law by signing a petition 1 (1)

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
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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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