NOUN (1)

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


VERB (1)

1. mark with one's initials;


ADJECTIVE (1)

1. occurring at the beginning;
- Example: "took the initial step toward reconciliation"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Initial \In*i"tial\, 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]
   1. Of or pertaining to the beginning; marking the
      commencement; incipient; commencing; as, the initial
      symptoms of a disease.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Placed at the beginning; standing at the head, as of a
      list or series; as, the initial letters of a name.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Initial \In*i"tial\, n.
   The first letter of a word or a name.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Initial \In*i"tial\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Initialed; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Initialing.]
   To put an initial to; to mark with an initial of initials.
   [R.]
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

initial
    adj 1: occurring at the beginning; "took the initial step toward
           reconciliation"
    n 1: the first letter of a word (especially a person's name);
         "he refused to put the initials FRS after his name"
    v 1: mark with one's initials