initialis

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɪ.nɪ.tiˈaː.lɪs], [ɪ.nɪ.tiˈaː.liːs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [i.nit.t͡siˈaː.lis], [i.nit.t͡siˈaː.lis]^[1]

Forms

initiālis (neuter initiāle); third-declension two-termination adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin initium (“beginning”) + -ālis,^[2][3] from initium, from ineō “to go in, begin”.^[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler records it from Varro.^[3] Köbler dates Varro 116–27 BC.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant relating to the beginning, original, primary, and Lewis & Short call it post-classical.^[2][5] Apuleius speaks of the original source of the elements, and the land-surveyors of the initial state of a dispute.^[5][6] In grammar it meant standing at the beginning, the opposite of fīnālis.^[6] As a plural noun initiālēs were the founding members of a society in inscriptions.^[2]

Medieval writers used it of what comes first and of elementary instruction.^[7][8] English initial is recorded in the 1520s.^[4]

Timeline

• 116–27 BC – Varro uses it.^[3]
• c. 125–175 AD – Apuleius speaks of the origin of the elements.^[5][3]
• 1520s – English initial is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Of the beginning, original, primary.^[2][1]
2. (grammar) Standing at the beginning, initial.^[6]

Noun

1. In the plural, the founding members of a society.^[2]

Related words

• initium
• English initial

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e f Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b c Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
7. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
8. ^ Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften