from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Commence \Com*mence"\ (k[o^]m*m[e^]ns"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Commenced} (k[o^]m*m[e^]nst"); 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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