initiative
/ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv/noun
1
- mass noun the ability to assess and initiate things independently首创精神, 创造力：
use your initiative, imagination, and common sense.
运用你的创造力、想像力和常识。
2
- in sing. the power or opportunity to act or take charge before others do主动性, 积极性; 先机：
we have lost the initiative and allowed our opponents to dictate the subject.
我们错失先机, 让对手规定主题强加给我们。
3
- an act or strategy intended to resolve a difficulty or improve a situation; a fresh approach to something对策; 新举措：
a new initiative against car crime.
打击车辆犯罪的新举措。
3.1
- a proposal made by one nation to another in an attempt to improve relations（改善两国关系的）提议：
China welcomed the Soviet initiative.
中国欢迎苏联提出的改善两国关系的提议。
4
the initiative
(especially in Switzerland and some US states) the right of citizens outside the legislature to originate legislation（尤指瑞士和美国某些州）公民立法创制权。
短语
on one's own initiative
- without being prompted by others主动地。
take（或seize）the initiative
- be the first to take action in a particular situation带头, 采取主动：
anti-hunting groups have seized the initiative in the dispute.
反狩猎组织在争论中取得了主动。
词源
late 18th cent.: from French, from Latin initiare, from initium 'beginning'.