in|hu|man|ity / I nhjʊmæ n I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT You can describe extremely cruel actions as inhumanity . □ [+ of ] …the inhumanity of war.
in|imi|cal / I n I m I k ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Conditions that are inimical to something make it difficult for that thing to exist or do well. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] …goals inimical to Western interests.
in|imi|table / I n I m I təb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use inimitable to describe someone, especially a performer, when you like or admire them because of their special qualities. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ He makes his own point in his own inimitable way.
in|iqui|tous / I n I kw I təs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as iniquitous , you mean that it is very unfair or morally bad. [FORMAL ] □ …an iniquitous fine.
in|iquity / I n I kw I ti/ (iniquities ) N‑VAR You can refer to wicked actions or very unfair situations as iniquity . [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] He rails against the iniquities of capitalism.
ini|tial ◆◇◇ / I n I ʃ ə l/ (initials , initialling , initialled ) in AM, use initialing , initialed 1 ADJ [ADJ n] You use initial to describe something that happens at the beginning of a process. □ The initial reaction has been excellent.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl, oft poss N ] Initials are the capital letters which begin each word of a name. For example, if your full name is Michael Dennis Stocks, your initials will be M.D.S. □ …a silver Porsche car with her initials JB on the side.
3 VERB If someone initials an official document, they write their initials on it, for example to show that they have seen it or that they accept or agree with it. □ [V n] Would you mind initialing this voucher? SYNONYMS initial ADJ 1
opening: …the opening day of the fifth General Synod.
first: She lost 16 pounds in the first month of her diet.
early: …the early hours of Saturday morning.
introductory: …just out on the shelves at an introductory price of £2.99.
ini|tial|ly ◆◇◇ / I n I ʃəli/ ADV [ADV with v] Initially means soon after the beginning of a process or situation, rather than in the middle or at the end of it. □ Forecasters say the gales may not be as bad as they initially predicted. SYNONYMS initially ADV
at first: At first, he seemed surprised by my questions.
first: I met him first at his house where we had a chat.
originally: France originally refused to sign the treaty.
to begin with: It was great to begin with but now it's difficult.
ini|ti|ate / I n I ʃie I t/ (initiates , initiating , initiated )
1 VERB If you initiate something, you start it or cause it to happen. □ [V n] They wanted to initiate a discussion on economics.
2 VERB If you initiate someone into something, you introduce them to a particular skill or type of knowledge and teach them about it. □ [V n + into ] He initiated her into the study of other cultures. [Also V n]
3 VERB If someone is initiated into something such as a religion, secret society, or social group, they become a member of it by taking part in ceremonies at which they learn its special knowledge or customs. □ [be V -ed + into ] In many societies, young people are formally initiated into their adult roles. □ [V n + into ] …the ceremony that initiated members into the Order. [Also V n]
ini|tia|tion / I n I ʃie I ʃ ə n/ (initiations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT The initiation of something is the starting of it. □ [+ of ] They announced the initiation of a rural development programme.
2 N‑VAR [N n] Someone's initiation into a particular group is the act or process by which they officially become a member, often involving special ceremonies. □ [+ into ] This was my initiation into the peace movement.
ini|tia|tive ◆◇◇ / I n I ʃət I v/ (initiatives )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended to solve a problem. □ Government initiatives to help young people have been inadequate. □ There's talk of a new peace initiative.
2 N‑SING In a fight or contest, if you have the initiative , you are in a better position than your opponents to decide what to do next. □ We have the initiative; we intend to keep it.
3 N‑UNCOUNT If you have initiative , you have the ability to decide what to do next and to do it, without needing other people to tell you what to do. □ She was disappointed by his lack of initiative.
4 PHRASE If you take the initiative in a situation, you are the first person to act, and are therefore able to control the situation. □ We must take the initiative in the struggle to end the war.
ini|tia|tor / I n I ʃie I tə r / (initiators ) N‑COUNT The initiator of a plan or process is the person who was responsible for thinking of it or starting it. □ [+ of ] …one of the major initiators of the tumultuous changes in Eastern Europe.
in|ject / I ndʒe kt/ (injects , injecting , injected )
1 VERB To inject someone with a substance such as a medicine means to put it into their body using a device with a needle called a syringe. □ [be V -ed + with ] His son was injected with strong drugs. □ [V n + into ] The technique consists of injecting healthy cells into the weakened muscles. □ [V pron-refl] He needs to inject himself once a month. [Also V n, V n + with ]