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Final vs Initial - What's the difference?

final | initial | Antonyms |

Initial is a antonym of final.



In phonology terms the difference between final and initial

is that final is the final part of a syllable, the combination of medial and rime in phonetics and phonology while initial is onset, part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus in phonetics and phonology.

As nouns the difference between final and initial

is that final is a final examination; a test or examination given at the end of a term or class; the test that concludes a class while initial is the first letter of a word or a name.

As adjectives the difference between final and initial

is that final is last; ultimate while initial is chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin.

As a verb initial is

to sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.

final

English

(wikipedia final)

Noun

(en noun)
  • (US) A final examination; a test or examination given at the end of a term or class; the test that concludes a class.
  • (sports) The last round, game or match in a contest, after which the winner is determined.
  • A contest that narrows a field of contestants (finalists) to ranked positions, usually in numbered places (1st place/prize, 2nd place/prize, etc.) or a winner and numbered runners-up (1st runner-up, etc.).
  • (phonology) The final part of a syllable, the combination of medial and rime in phonetics and phonology.
  • (music) The tonic or keynote of a Gregorian mode, and hence the final note of any conventional melody played in that mode.
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Last; ultimate.
  • :
  • *1671 , (John Milton), (Samson Agonistes)
  • *:Yet despair not of his final pardon.
  • Conclusive; decisive.
  • :
  • Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the purpose or ultimate end in view.
  • (lb) Expressing purpose; as in the term final clause.
  • (lb) Word-final, occurring at the end of a word.
  • *
  • *:Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial, a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between; his clerks, however, understood him very well.
  • Synonyms

    * endly * terminal

    Antonyms

    * initial * early * first

    Derived terms

    * final cause * finalist * semifinal

    initial

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin.
  • :
  • :
  • *{{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
  • , chapter=19 citation , passage=Meanwhile Nanny Broome was recovering from her initial panic and seemed anxious to make up for any kudos she might have lost, by exerting her personality to the utmost. She took the policeman's helmet and placed it on a chair, and unfolded his tunic to shake it and fold it up again for him.}}
  • Spatially first, placed at the beginning, in the first position; especially said of the first letter of a word.
  • :
  • *
  • *:Thus, when he drew up instructions in lawyer language, he expressed the important words by an initial , a medial, or a final consonant, and made scratches for all the words between; his clerks, however, understood him very well.
  • Synonyms

    * incipient * opening

    Antonyms

    * final

    Derived terms

    * initially * initialness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The first letter of a word or a name.
  • In plural, the first letter of each word of a person's full name considered as a unit
  • You can get your initials printed at the top.
  • (typesetting, calligraphy) A distinguished initial letter of a chapter or section of a document.
  • (phonology) onset, part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus in phonetics and phonology.
  • Synonyms

    * drop cap, versal

    Derived terms

    * initialism * initial teaching alphabet

    Verb

  • To sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.
  • Please initial each page and sign the contract in full at the bottom.

    See also

    * middle