GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Commence (kŏm‑mĕnsˈ), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commenced (kŏm‑mĕnstˈ); p. pr. & vb. n. Commencing.] [F. commencer, OF. comencier, fr. L. com- + initiare to begin. See Initiate.]
   1. To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to begin.
   
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   Here the anthem doth commence. Shak.
   
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   His heaven commences ere the world be past. Goldsmith.
   
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   2. To begin to be, or to act as. [Archaic]
   
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   We commence judges ourselves. Coleridge.
   
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   3. To take a degree at a university. [Eng.]
   
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   I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. Fuller.
   
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2.       
   Commence, v. t. To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of.
   
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   Many a wooer doth commence his suit. Shak.
   
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   ☞ It is the practice of good writers to use the verbal noun (instead of the infinitive with to) after commence; as, “he commenced studying, not he commenced to study”.
   
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