1. (n.) The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.

2. (n.) The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.

A alpha baccalaureate service beginning birth blast-off celebration ceremonial ceremony conception convocation creation cutting edge dawn dawning derivation edge empty formality establishment exercise exercises flying start formal formality foundation fresh start function genesis graduation graduation exercises grass roots head inaugural inauguration inception initiation institution jump-off kick-off leading edge liturgy mummery new departure observance office oncoming onset opening origin original origination outbreak outset outstart performance provenience radical radix religious ceremony rise rite rite de passage rite of passage ritual root running start send-off service setting in motion setting-up solemnity solemnization source square one start start-off starting point stem stock take-off taproot