INITIAL


Meaning of INITIAL in English

n.

Pronunciation: i- ' ni-sh ə l

Function: adjective

Etymology: Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French iniciel, from Latin initialis, from initium beginning, from inire to go into, from in- + ire to go ― more at ISSUE

Date: 1526

1 : of or relating to the beginning : INCIPIENT <his initial reaction>

2 : placed at the beginning : FIRST <the initial word of the verse>

– ini · tial · ly \ i- ' ni-sh( ə -)l ē \ adverb

– ini · tial · ness \ i- ' ni-sh ə l-n ə s \ noun

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.