Initial
[ɪ'nɪʃəl]
Definition
(noun.) the first letter of a word (especially a person's name); 'he refused to put the initials FRS after his name'.
(verb.) mark with one's initials.
(adj.) occurring at the beginning; 'took the initial step toward reconciliation' .
Checked by Aubrey--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Of or pertaining to the beginning; marking the commencement; incipient; commencing; as, the initial symptoms of a disease.
(a.) Placed at the beginning; standing at the head, as of a list or series; as, the initial letters of a name.
(n.) The first letter of a word or a name.
(v. t.) To put an initial to; to mark with an initial of initials.
Editor: Solomon
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. First, at the beginning, at the head.[2]. Incipient, commencing, beginning, in the first stages.
n. First letter (of a name).
Editor: Stephen
Definition
adj. commencing: placed at the beginning.—n. the letter beginning a word esp. a name.—v.t. to put the initials of one's name to:—pr.p. init′ialing (-alling); pa.p. init′ialed (-alled).—v.t. Init′iāte to make a beginning: to instruct in principles: to acquaint with: to introduce into a new state or society.—v.i. to perform the first act or rite.—n. one who is initiated.—adj. fresh: unpractised.—n. Initiā′tion act or process of initiating: act of admitting to any society by instructing in its rules and ceremonies.—adj. Init′iātive serving to initiate: introductory.—n. an introductory step: the power or right of commencing.—adj. Init′iātory tending to initiate: introductory.—n. introductory rite.
Checked by Justin
Examples
- By the year 1880 the standard form of marine engine for large powers had become the compound double cylinder type, expanding steam from an initial pressure as high as 90 pounds. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Only through them, in the literal time sense, will the initial activities reach a satisfactory consummation. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- On Christmas eve of 1801, Trevithick made the initial trip with the first successful steam road locomotive through the streets of Camborne in Cornwall, carrying passengers. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- So many wagons, bearing his initial, running all over the country. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The initial labor is usually protracted. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- Sch?ffer proved wonderfully adept at cutting type, and later at illuminating the initial letters that were needed. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- With regard to the old infirmary, we have gained the initial point--I mean your election. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- As to the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I congratulate you again. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
- Somewhat later, the handle became pointed, and was engraved with bright, cut ornaments and a cartouch at the end in which were engraved the initials of the owner. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- His initials were inside it. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- There was no record or legend of any prisoner with those initials, and many fruitless guesses were made what the name could have been. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Curious circumstance about those initials, sir,' said Mr. Magnus. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The writing was signed with Anne Catherick's initials. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Within the lid of the box, I carefully graved with my scissors' point certain initials. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Typed by Carlyle