Commence (k&obreve_;mm&ebreve_;ns), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Commenced (k&obreve_;mm&ebreve_;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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