Etymologically
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initialis

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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]

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