I. noun
the first part or stage of a process or development
the first few chapters at the beginning of the novel
Synonyms: alpha, birth, commencement, dawn, dawning, day spring, genesis, onset, opening, opening gun, outset, outstart, setout, start
Related Word: creation, inception, origin, origination, root, source, spring; anlage, rudiment, sprout; prologue; appearance, emergence, rise; incipiency, infancy
Idioms: the word go
Contrasted words: consummation, termination; closing, completion, conclusion; omega
Antonyms: end, ending
II. adjective
1.
Synonyms: initial 1, inceptive, incipient, initiative, initiatory, introductory, nascent
2.
Synonyms: elementary 1, basal, elemental, rudimental, rudimentary, simplest