adj., n., & v.
--adj. of, existing, or occurring at the beginning (initial stage; initial expenses).
--n.
1. initial letter.
2 (usu. in pl.) the first letter or letters of the words of a (esp. a person's) name or names.
--v.tr. (initialled, initialling; US initialed, initialing) mark or sign with one's initials.
Phrases and idioms:
initial letter (or consonant) a letter or consonant at the beginning of a word. initial teaching alphabet a 44-letter phonetic alphabet used to help those beginning to read and write English.
Derivatives:
initially adv.
Etymology: L initialis f. initium beginning f. inire init- go in