A.rite, esp. initiation in the mysteries, “ἡ Δήμητρος τ., τὴν οἱ Ἕλληνες Θεσμοφόρια καλέουσι” Hdt.2.171, cf. And.1.111, Pl.Euthd. 277d; ἐς χεῖρας ἄγεσθαι τὴν τελετήν take in hand the matter of initiation, Hdt.4.79: pl., mystic rites practised at initiation, E.Ba.22, 73 (lyr.), Ar.V.121, Pax413, 419; “Ὀρφεὺς . . τελετὰς ἡμῖν κατέδειξε” Id.Ra.1032, cf. D.25.11; “καθαρμῶν καὶ τελετῶν τυχοῦσα” Pl.Phdr.244e; “λύσεις τε καὶ καθαρμοὶ ἀδικημάτων διὰ θυσιῶν . . , ἃς δὴ τελετὰς καλοῦσιν” Id.R.365a, cf. Prt.316d, Isoc.4.28.
2. pl., theological doctrines, Chrysipp.Stoic.2.17.
3. a making magically potent, PMag.Par. 1.1596, PMag.Lond.46.159, 121.872, etc.
II. a festival accompanied by mystic rites, mostly in pl. (“τελετὰς . . καλοῦμεν τὰς ἔτι μείζους καὶ μετά τινος μυστικῆς παραδόσεως ἑορτάς” Ath.2.40d), Pi.O.3.41, P. 9.97, N.10.34: in sg., E.IT959, Ar.V.876, Ra.342, Arist.Rh.1401a15: metaph., πρωτόγονος τ., of a child's birth, Pi.O.10(11).51; πολέμου τ. Batr.303; κατ᾽ αὐτὴν (sc. τὴν περὶ χρείας μορίων πραγματείαν） χρὴ τελεῖσθαι τὴν τ. Gal.UP17.1.
III. a priesthood or sacred office, Decr. ap. D.59.104.
