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