To set something to its starting values or conditions; to prepare a system for use.
Formed from 'initial' plus the suffix '-ize', emerging in the mid-20th century primarily in computing contexts. 'Initial' comes from Latin 'initialis' meaning 'of the beginning'. The verb reflects the need to set starting parameters in technological systems.
Initialize is a perfect example of how technology creates new words by combining existing elements. In programming, initialization is crucial because computer memory starts in an unpredictable state—you must actively set starting values, unlike human memory which builds on previous experiences.
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