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initial

/ɪˈnɪʃəl/

noun

Meaning

  • 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."

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

  • Onset, part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus in phonetics and phonology.

Synonyms

drop cap,
versal

verb

Meaning

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

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

adjective

Meaning

  • 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."

  • 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."

Synonyms

incipient,
opening