What is "commencements"

Usage examples of "commencements".

Isn't it glorious that life is one infinite succession of commencements and promotions!

I hear a great many orations, especially in high school commencements, entitled, "The Value of a Goal in Life.

It had that look, peculiar to some men, of having been steeped in linseed oil, with its waxed dark moustaches and the little distinguished commencements of side whiskers.

He had perhaps seen, on Fourths of July and on dear old domestic Commencements, more people assembled, but he had never seen so many in proportion to the space, or had at all events never known so great a promiscuity to show so markedly as picked.

At the end of that time I found that I had by constant nibbling devoured a large number of the quills, and had spread the ink out to such advantage, what with blots, spills, and abortive commencements, that there appeared to be some everywhere except in the bottle.

They are tedious, generally hot, and requiring of one an insincere attention, as at weddings, commencements, and secret initiations.