initiate
ih-NISH-ee-aytverbMeaning to set something going; also, to admit a new member to a group
Memory hook INITIAL-ate: take the INITIAL step. At the party everyone stands around shyly until Zoe takes the initial step onto the dance floor. She initiates the dancing.
Zoe initiated the dancing by stepping onto the empty floor.
In context No one wanted to be the first to apologize, so the twins sat in silence until their little brother initiated peace talks with a plate of cookies.
Similar set in motion, institute, trigger, induct
Opposite end, halt, terminate
From Latin initiare, “to begin, admit,” from initium, “a beginning.”