What does "commence" mean?

1. (to take a university degree) to receive a degree from a university.

How do you use "commence"?

Intransitive; usually followed by 'Master' or 'Doctor'.

commence

US //kəˈmɛns// UK //kəmˈɛns// com·mence

1 to take a university degree (v.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic British English

to receive a degree from a university.

to take a degree at a university, particularly at a graduation ceremony.

Example

In the old records, he is listed as having commenced Master of Arts in 1842.

Example

The university archives indicate that several notable scholars commenced Doctor of Divinity during the same spring convocation.

Usage

Intransitive; usually followed by 'Master' or 'Doctor'.
- graduate

Origin

From Middle English commencen, comencen (also as contracted comsen, cumsen), from Anglo-Norman comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiāre, formed from Latin com- + initiō (whence English initiate).