Definition of: initial

(in·ish′əl) adjective
1. Standing at the beginning or head.
2. Pertaining to the first stage.
—noun
1. The first letter of a word, name, etc.
2. In a book or manuscript, the first letter of a chapter, division of a chapter, or verse: often elaborately painted and gilded.
—v.t. ·tialed or ·tialled, ·tial·ing or ·tial·ling To mark or sign with initials. [<F <L initialis <initium beginning <initus, pp. of inire go into, enter upon <in- in + ire go]
—in·i′tial·ly adverb