- the first letter of a word (especially a person''s name)
"he refused to put the initials FRS after his name"

- mark with one''s initials

- occurring at the beginning
"took the initial step toward reconciliation"

1. Of or pertaining to the beginning; marking the commencement; incipient; commencing; as, the initial symptoms of a disease.

2. Placed at the beginning; standing at the head, as of a list or series; as, the initial letters of a name.

1. The first letter of a word or a name.

1. To put an initial to; to mark with an initial of initials. [R.]