initial
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From French < Latin initialis (“‘of the beginning, incipient, initial’”) < initium (“‘a going in, entrance, beginning’”) < inire (“‘to go in, enter upon, begin’”) < in (“‘in’”) + ire (“‘to go’”).
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adjective
initial (not comparable)
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Positive |
Superlative |
- Chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin
- Our initial admiration for their efficiency gave way to disgust about their methods
- The initial stages of a syndrome may differ vastly from the final symptoms
- Spatially first, placed at the beginning, in the first position; especially said of the first letter of a word
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[edit] Antonyms
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[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
initial (plural initials)
- The first letter of a word or a name.
- In plural, the first letter of each word of a person's full name considered as a unit
- You can get your initials printed at the top.
- (typography, calligraphy) A distinguished initial letter of a chapter or section of a document.
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[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to initial (third-person singular simple present initials, present participle initialing or initialling, simple past and past participle initialed or initialled)
- (transitive) To sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.
- Please initial each page and sign the contract in full at the bottom.
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[edit] See also
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[edit] External links
- initial in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- initial in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
- initial at OneLook® Dictionary Search
[edit] French
[edit] Etymology
From Latin initialis, from initium 'beginning'
[edit] Adjective
initial m. (f. initiale, m. plural initials, f. plural initiales)
