a. [ L. initialis, from initium a going in, entrance, beginning, fr. inire to go into, to enter, begin; pref. in- in + ire to go: cf. F. initial. See Issue, and cf. Commence. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The first letter of a word or a name. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
v. t. initialize. [ Chiefly Brit. ] [ PJC ]
v. t. to assign an initial value to (a variable or set of variables in a computer program);
adv. In an initial or incipient manner or degree; at the beginning. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. pl. The first letters of a person's first and last name, and sometimes also the first letters of the middle name or names;