v. i.
Here the anthem doth commence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
His heaven commences ere the world be past. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]
We commence judges ourselves. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]
I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t. To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of. [ 1913 Webster ]
Many a wooer doth commence his suit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ It is the practice of good writers to use the verbal noun (instead of the infinitive with to) after commence;
n. [ F. commencement. ]
The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed “modern history.” Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]