initial
of, relating to, or occurring at the beginning; first: the initial step in a process.
Phonetics. occurring at the beginning of a word or syllable, as the (k) sound of kite, chasm, or quay.
an initial letter, as of a word.
the first letter of a proper name.
a letter of extra size or an ornamental character used at the beginning of a chapter or other division of a book, manuscript, or the like.
to mark or sign with an initial or the initials of one's name, especially as a token of preliminary or informal approval.
Origin of initial
1Other words from initial
- in·i·tial·er, noun
- in·i·tial·ly, adverb
- pre·in·i·tial, verb (used with object)
- sub·in·i·tial, verb (used with object), sub·in·i·tialed, sub·in·i·tial·ing or (especially British) sub·in·i·tialled, sub·in·i·tial·ling.
- un·in·i·tialed; (especially British) un·in·i·tialled, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for initial
/ (ɪˈnɪʃəl) /
of, at, or concerning the beginning
the first letter of a word, esp a person's name
printing a large sometimes highly decorated letter set at the beginning of a chapter or work
botany a cell from which tissues and organs develop by division and differentiation; a meristematic cell
(tr) to sign with one's initials, esp to indicate approval; endorse
Origin of initial
1Derived forms of initial
- initialer or initialler, noun
- initially, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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