initial

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   occurring at the beginning

   took the initial step toward reconciliation

2. 2
   noun

   the first letter of a word, especially a person's name

   They refused to put the initials FRS after their name.

3. 3
   adj

   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.

4. 4
   adj

   Spatially first, placed at the beginning, in the first position; especially said of the first letter of a word.

   The initial letter of names is usually printed with a capital letter.

5. 5
   noun

   The first letter of a word or a name, especially of a person's full name (their initials).

   The point of interest about this particular specimen was that it must have remained intact for at least a quarter of a century, as it had embossed in the frosted glass the initials of the old Great North of Scotland Railway in the form of a scroll, the sort of relic of pre-grouping days that can still be found here and there if one is observant.

6. 6
   verb

   To sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.

   Please initial each page and sign the contract in full at the bottom.

7. 7
   verb

   mark with one's initials

8. 8
   noun

   A distinguished initial letter of a chapter or section of a document.

Etymology

From Middle French initial or directly from its Latin etymon initiālis (“of the beginning, incipient, initial”), from initium (“a going in, entrance, beginning”), from inire (“to go in, enter upon, begin”), from in (“in”) + ire (“to go”).