The difference between Drop cap and Initial

When used as nouns, drop cap means a large initial letter that drops below the first line of a paragraph, usually used at the beginning of a section or chapter of a book, whereas initial means the first letter of a word or a name.


Initial is also verb with the meaning: to sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.

Initial is also adjective with the meaning: chronologically first, early.

check bellow for the other definitions of Drop cap and Initial

  1. Drop cap as a noun (typography):

    A large initial letter that drops below the first line of a paragraph, usually used at the beginning of a section or chapter of a book.

  1. Initial as an adjective:

    Chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin.

    Examples:

    "Our initial admiration for their efficiency gave way to disgust about their methods."

    "The initial stages of a syndrome may differ vastly from the final symptoms."

  2. Initial as an adjective:

    Spatially first, placed at the beginning, in the first position; especially said of the first letter of a word.

    Examples:

    "The initial letter of names is usually printed with a capital letter."

  1. Initial as a noun:

    The first letter of a word or a name.

  2. Initial as a noun:

    In plural, the first letter of each word of a person's full name considered as a unit.

    Examples:

    "You can get your initials printed at the top."

  3. Initial as a noun (typesetting, calligraphy):

    A distinguished initial letter of a chapter or section of a document.

  4. Initial as a noun (phonology):

    onset, part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus in phonetics and phonology.

  1. Initial as a verb (transitive):

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

    Examples:

    "Please initial each page and sign the contract in full at the bottom."

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