Main Entry: ¹ini·tial

Pronunciation: \i-ˈni-shəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French iniciel, from Latin initialis, from initium beginning, from inire to go into, from in- + ire to go — more at issue

Date: 1526

1 : of or relating to the beginning : incipient <his initial reaction>
2 : placed at the beginning : first <the initial word of the verse>

— ini·tial·ly \i-ˈni-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

— ini·tial·ness \i-ˈni-shəl-nəs\ noun