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# initial

adjective (initial); noun (an initial, initials); verb (initial, initials, initialled/initialed, initialling/initialing)

«initial» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (adjective) Happening at the beginning; first. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#m1)
2. (noun) The first letter of a name: J. K. Rowling's initials are J. K. R. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#m2)
3. (verb) To write your initials on a paper to show you agree or have checked it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#m3)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#x1)
- Write your initials on your PE kit. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#x2)
- The initial plan was to go to the park, but it rained. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#x3)
- The initial temperature of the water was 20 degrees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#x4)
- My initial thought was that the answer was wrong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#x5)
- Mum initialled my reading record. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#x6)
- The initial cost was ten pounds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/#x7)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/initial/#x1)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/initial/#x2)

### 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).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «initial» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/initial/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«initial» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/initial.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «initial» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/initial/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«initial» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/initial.html) on Mova free.