Look up: Initiative

1. 
   initiative
   [Noun] Plural form: initiatives. An action or campaign that starts something off.
   Example: There is a health initiative to train people in first aid at our office.
   Found on http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/glossary
   
   
2. 
   initiative
   In politics, a device whereby constitutional voters may play a direct part in making laws. A proposed law may be drawn up and signed by petitioners, and submitted to the legislature. A referendum...
   Found on http://www.thehistorychannel.co.uk/site/
   
   
3. 
   Initiative
   In·i'ti·a·tive adjective [ Confer French initiatif .] Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary.
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/I/61
   
   
4. 
   Initiative
   In·i'ti·a·tive noun [ Confer French initiative .] 1. An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins. « The undeveloped initiatives of good things to come.» I. Taylor. 2. 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 ...
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/I/61
   
   
5. 
   Initiative
   In·i'ti·a·tive noun (Political Science) The right or procedure by which legislation may be introduced or enacted directly by the people, as in the Swiss Confederation and in many of the States of the United States; -- chiefly used with the . The procedure of the initiative is essentially as follows: Upon the filing of a petition signed by a required number or percentage of qualified voters ...
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/I/61
   
   
6. 
   Initiative
   In political science, the `initiative` (also known as `popular` or `citizen's initiative`) provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote on a proposed statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment or ordinance, or, in its minimal form, to simply oblige the executive or legislative bodies to consider the subject by submitting it to the order of the day. It is a form of d...
   Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiative
   
   
7. 
   Initiative
   • (a.) Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory; preliminary. • (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. • (n.) An introductory step or movement; an act which originates or begins. &bull...
   Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning
   
   
8. 
   initiative
   (from the article `chess`) ...games, pawns and knights played minor roles. Pawns were often sacrificed so that the queen, rooks, and bishops could join the attack as soon as ... The Soviets valued the initiative—the ability to force matters—more than most positional considerations. While the Hypermoderns and Lasker often ... ...
   Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/i/23
   
   
9. 
   initiative
   (from the article `referendum and initiative`) electoral devices by which voters may express their wishes with regard to government policy or proposed legislation. They exist in a variety of forms.The referendum and initiative are elections in which the preferences of the community are assessed on a particular issue; whereas the former are...
   Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/i/23
   
   
10. 
    initiative
    
    1. readiness to embark on bold new ventures
    2. the first of a series of actions
    
    Found on
    
    
11. 
    initiative
    The initiation of legislative action on a particular issue by way of a voters' petition.
    Found on http://polisci.nelson.com/glossary.html