commencev. i.[F. commencer, OF. comencier, fr. L. com- + initiare to begin. See Initiate.]1. To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to begin.()Here the anthem doth commence. (Shak.)His heaven commences ere the world be past. (Goldsmith.)2. To begin to be, or to act as.()We commence judges ourselves. (Coleridge.)3. To take a degree at a university.()I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. (Fuller.)v. t. To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of.()Many a wooer doth commence his suit. (Shak.)()