word-vault

{ "term": "initiative", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "academic": true, "ox3000": true, "cefr": "b2", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "a new plan for dealing with a particular problem or for achieving a particular purpose", "sensetop": "initiative to do somethinginitiative by somebody/somethinginitiative for something", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a United Nations peace initiative" }, { "text": "Most **policy initiatives** come from the White House." }, { "text": "to **launch an initiative**" }, { "text": "The money was intended to **support initiatives** in bilingual education." }, { "text": "**new initiatives** to improve animal welfare", "contextForm": "initiative to do something" }, { "text": "a government initiative to combat unemployment" }, { "text": "a joint initiative by the Scottish and UK governments", "contextForm": "initiative by somebody/something" }, { "text": "an initiative for peace and human rights", "contextForm": "initiative for something" }, { "text": "Ten schools have been involved in the initiative." }, { "text": "The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger." }, { "text": "The government has launched a new policy initiative." }, { "text": "The initiative foundered because there was no market interest in redevelopment." }, { "text": "The peace initiative was rejected out of hand." }, { "text": "The research initiative is being undertaken by a group of environmentalists." }, { "text": "We welcome the government's initiative to help homeless people." }, { "text": "a local initiative aimed at economic regeneration" }, { "text": "a new initiative against car theft" }, { "text": "a peace initiative sponsored by the Organization of African Unity" }, { "text": "an initiative designed to promote collaborative research" }, { "text": "fresh initiatives to find a peaceful end to the conflict" }, { "text": "The initiative to reopen negotiations came from Washington." }, { "text": "pioneering initiatives in bioengineering" }, { "text": "the government's major new initiative on crime" }, { "text": "the latest initiative by the UN Secretary General" }, { "text": "A number of initiatives have been planned to tackle street crime." }, { "text": "Government leaders are meeting to discuss the latest peace initiative." }, { "text": "They proposed a joint initiative between the local authority and faith groups." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["fresh", "new", "innovative"], "… of initiatives": ["range", "series"], "verb + initiative": ["undertake", "plan", "develop"], "initiative + verb": [ "be aimed at something", "be designed to", "seek to do something" ], "preposition": ["initiative against", "initiative by", "initiative for"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "the ability to decide and act on your own without waiting for somebody to tell you what to do", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "He said I was lazy and had no initiative." }, { "text": "You won't get much help. You'll have to **use your initiative**." }, { "text": "She needs to show more initiative if she wants to succeed." }, { "text": "Too much bureaucracy represses creativity and initiative." }, { "text": "She did it **on her own initiative** *(= without anyone telling her to do it)*." }, { "text": "Don't ask me what you should do all the time. Use your initiative!" }, { "text": "He acted on his own initiative and wasn't following orders." }, { "text": "She had the initiative to ask what time the last train left." }, { "text": "It's a very hierarchical company and there's little place for individual initiative." }, { "text": "Raising taxes on small businesses will stifle initiative." }, { "text": "In an unprecedented action, the army, on its own initiative, arrested seven civilians." }, { "text": "Some scientists show little initiative in applying their knowledge." }, { "text": "The project was set up on the initiative of a local landowner." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["great", "real", "individual"], "verb + initiative": ["have", "display", "show"], "preposition": ["on somebody’s initiative", "initiative in"], "phrases": ["a lack of initiative", "on your own initiative"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "the power or opportunity to act and gain an advantage before other people do", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "to **seize/regain the initiative**" }, { "text": "It was up to the US to **take the initiative** in repairing relations." }, { "text": "In the second half, Manchester United regained the initiative." }, { "text": "She then regained the initiative in winning the third game." }, { "text": "He took the initiative in asking the board to conduct an inquiry." } ], "collocations": { "verb + the initiative": ["have", "hold", "gain"], "the initiative + verb": [ "come from somebody/something", "lie with somebody" ], "preposition": ["initiative in"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "(in some states of the US) a process by which ordinary people can suggest a new law by signing a petition", "examples": [ { "text": "a **ballot initiative** to establish a local minimum wage" }, { "text": "The rights of referendum and initiative foster active participation by citizens." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/", "audio": "in/initiative/initiative__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/", "audio": "in/initiative/initiative__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "late 18th cent.: from French, from Latin initiare, from initium ‘beginning’." }