Commencing

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. [1913 Webster]

Here the anthem doth commence. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

His heaven commences ere the world be past. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]

2. To begin to be, or to act as. [Archaic] [1913 Webster]

We commence judges ourselves. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

3. To take a degree at a university. [Eng.] [1913 Webster]

I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]