-alis

of, relating to

Forms

-alis
-aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
-al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
-ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

119 / 291

adjective / noun / verb

initial

ih-NISH-ul/ɪˈnɪʃl/

At the opening position in a sequence.

The initial domino tips into the second while the rest remain upright.

The initial fall in a domino chain: the first domino tips against the second while the long remaining sequence is still upright.

Etymology

initiLatinbeginning or entrance

+alLatinof, relating to

Latin initium meant both an entrance or going in and a beginning. That connection pictures the beginning as entry into something, making initial describe what occurs at that opening stage.

In context

Nina Fogelman5:30

the initial days will maybe be a little awkward just sort of getting past that initial hi I'm Kyla

Pleasure and Philanthropy

More examples

My initial reaction was surprise, but then I understood.
She writes her initials on the notebook's cover.
Please initial each page before signing the last one.

Forms

initial · initials · initialed · initialing

initially adverb — At the beginning of a process.

Similar words

first: First can indicate rank as well as sequence.
opening: Opening emphasizes the start of an event or activity.