inaugur

a. [ Cf. F. inaugural. ] Pertaining to, or performed or pronounced at, an inauguration; as, an inaugural address; the inaugural exercises. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An inaugural address. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Inaugurated p. pr. & vb. n. Inaugurating ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To introduce or induct into an office with suitable ceremonies or solemnities; to invest with power or authority in a formal manner; to install; as, to inaugurate a president; to inaugurate a king. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to begin, esp. with formality or solemn ceremony; hence, to set in motion, action, or progress; to initiate; -- used especially of something of dignity or worth or public concern; as, to inaugurate a new era of things, new methods, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

As if kings did choose remarkable days to inaugurate their favors. Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To celebrate the completion of, or the first public use of; to dedicate, as a statue. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To begin with good omens. [ Obs. ] Sir H. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. inauguratus, p. p. of inaugurare to take omens from the flight of birds (before entering upon any important undertaking); hence, to consecrate, inaugurate, or install, with such divination; pref. in- in + augurare, augurari, to augur. See Augur. ] Invested with office; inaugurated. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. inauguratio a beginning: cf. F. inauguration. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act of inuagurating, or inducting into office with solemnity; investiture by appropriate ceremonies. [ 1913 Webster ]

At his regal inauguration, his old father resigned the kingdom to him. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The formal beginning or initiation of any movement, course of action, etc.; as, the inauguration of a new system, a new condition, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

. The day on which the President of the United States is inaugurated, the 20th of January in every year next after a year divisible by four. Prior to the adoption of the twentieth amendment to the Constitution of the United States (ratified February 6, 1933) the date was the 4th of March. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. One who inaugurates. [ 1913 Webster ]