inaugural
UK[ɪˈnɔːɡjərəl]US[ɪˈnɔːɡjərəl]
adj
marking the beginning of an institution, activity, or period of office
n
a speech or ceremony given to mark the beginning of something, especially a president's term of office
Morpheme Breakdown
in
augur
al
in
in, into, on
augur
interpreter of omens, soothsayer
al
of, relating to, or characterized by
Etymology
the word 'inaugural' originates from the latin 'inaugurare', which meant 'to take omens from the flight of birds, to consecrate or install after taking such omens'. this ritualistic verb was formed from the prefix 'in-' (into, on) and 'augurare' (to act as an augur, to predict). an augur was a roman priest who interpreted the will of the gods by observing natural signs, especially the flight of birds. thus, the literal sense was 'to begin or install under favorable omens'. over time, the religious and divinatory connotations faded, leaving the core modern meaning of 'marking a formal beginning or entrance into office', retaining the sense of a significant and ceremonious start.
Analysis
Structure: in + augur + al
in (latin, prefix meaning 'in, into, on')
augur (latin, root meaning 'interpreter of omens, soothsayer')
al (latin, suffix forming adjectives meaning 'of, relating to, or characterized by')
Examples
the president gave his inaugural address on the steps of the capitol.
this concert is the inaugural event for the city's new performing arts center.
her inaugural speech as ceo outlined an ambitious five-year plan.