GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Commence , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commenced ; p. pr. & vb. n. Commencing.] [F. commencer, OF. comencier, fr. L. com- + initiare to begin. See Initiate.]
   To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to begin.
   1913 Webster
   Here the anthem doth commence.
   Shak.
   
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   His heaven commences ere the world be past.
   Goldsmith.
   
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   To begin to be, or to act as. [Archaic]
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   We commence judges ourselves.
   Coleridge.
   
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   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.
   1913 Webster