initial

Everyday

1. (adjective) Happening at the beginning; first. tree →
2. (noun) The first letter of a name: J. K. Rowling's initials are J. K. R. tree →
3. (verb) To write your initials on a paper to show you agree or have checked it. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and science problems «initial» means the starting amount or value: «initial speed», «initial temperature», «the initial number of apples». In everyday life: write your initials on your lunchbox; parents initial a homework planner.

Examples

• My initials are A. B. because my name is Anna Brown. tree →
• Write your initials on your PE kit. tree →
• The initial plan was to go to the park, but it rained. tree →
• The initial temperature of the water was 20 degrees. tree →
• My initial thought was that the answer was wrong. tree →
• Mum initialled my reading record. tree →
• The initial cost was ten pounds. tree →

Note

In maths, «initial» = at the start; compare it with the «final» amount to find the change (final − initial). Spelling: «initial» has «-tial» said like «-shul». Past of the verb: «initialled» (UK) / «initialed» (US).

In Jewish tradition

In Sefer Yetzirah the "initials" are the first letters of words, such as the letters tied to the twelve signs of the Zodiac. In the primary lessons: In maths and science problems «initial» means the starting amount or value: «initial speed», «initial temperature», «the initial number of apples». In everyday life: write your initials on your lunchbox; parents initial a homework planner.

Examples

• These letters are the initials of the 12 Zodiacal (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• Bible dictionaries generally give the word as Cherubim, but in Hebrew the initial letter is always K and not Ch. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

In maths, «initial» = at the start; compare it with the «final» amount to find the change (final − initial). Spelling: «initial» has «-tial» said like «-shul». Past of the verb: «initialled» (UK) / «initialed» (US).