Nearby Words
in·i·tial
[ih-nish-uhl] adjective, noun, verb, -tialed, -tial·ing or (especially British) -tialled, -tial·ling. adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or occurring at the beginning; first: the initial step in a process.
noun
3.
an initial letter, as of a word.
4.
the first letter of a proper name.
5.
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.
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Initialling
is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
verb (used with object)
6.
to mark or sign with an initial or the initials of one's name, especially as a token of preliminary or informal approval.
Origin:
1520–30; < Latin initiālis, equivalent to initi(um) beginning (init-, noun derivative of inīre to enter, begin; in- in-2 + īre to go; compare comes) + -ium -ium) + -alis -al1
1520–30; < Latin initiālis, equivalent to initi(um) beginning (init-, noun derivative of inīre to enter, begin; in- in-2 + īre to go; compare comes) + -ium -ium) + -alis -al1
Related forms
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), -tialed, -tial·ing or (especially British) -tialled, -tial·ling.
un·in·i·tialed, adjective
EXPANDun·in·i·tialled, adjective
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To initialling
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
initial
1526, "of or pertaining to a beginning," from L. initialis "initial, incipient," from initium "a beginning, an entrance," from pp. stem of inire "to go into, enter upon, begin," from in- "into, in" + ire "to go" (see ion). Meaning "standing at the beginning of a word, sentence,
EXPANDetc." (1622) led to noun sense of "initial letter of a name or surname" (1627). The verb meaning "to mark or sign with initials" is from 1864.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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