\In*i"ti*a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. initiatif.]
Serving to initiate; inceptive; initiatory; introductory;
preliminary.

\In*i"ti*a*tive\, n. [Cf. F. initiative.]
1. An introductory step or movement; an act which originates
   or begins.
         The undeveloped initiatives of good things to come.
                                               --I. Taylor.
2. The right or power to introduce a new measure or course of
   action, as in legislation; as, the initiative in respect
   to revenue bills is in the House of Representatives.

\In*i"ti*a*tive\, n. (Political Science)
The right or procedure by which legislation may be introduced
or enacted directly by the people, as in the Swiss
Confederation and in many of the States of the United States;
-- chiefly used with the. The procedure of the initiative is
essentially as follows: Upon the filing of a petition signed
by a required number or percentage of qualified voters the
desired measure must be submitted to a popular vote, and upon
receiving the required majority (commonly a majority of those
voting on the measure submitted) it becomes a law. In some
States of the United States the initiative is only local; in
others it is state-wide and includes the making of
constitutional amendments.