initialize
UK[ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz]US[ɪˈnɪʃəlaɪz]
v
To set (something, such as a computer program or system) to its starting state, value, or configuration.
v
To prepare or format (a storage medium, such as a disk) for use.
Morpheme Breakdown
initial
ize
initial
pertaining to the beginning
ize
Etymology
The word 'initialize' is a modern formation built upon the classical root 'initial'. 'Initial' itself originates from the Latin noun initium, meaning "a beginning" or "an entrance", derived from the verb inire ("to go into, to begin"), composed of in- (into) and ire (to go). The suffix -ize, a prolific verb-maker in English borrowed via Latin from Greek, was appended to 'initial' in the 20th century, primarily within the context of computing and technology. The literal construction "to make initial" evolved into the specific technical sense of setting a system, variable, or device to its predefined starting point, capturing the action of preparing something for its beginning state.
Analysis
Structure: initial + ize
- initial: From Latin initialis (of the beginning), from initium (beginning). Functions as the core adjective/root meaning "pertaining to the beginning".
- ize: A verb-forming suffix from Greek -izein via Latin -izare, indicating "to make, to render, to become".
Examples
You must initialize the new hard drive before you can save any files to it.
The program will initialize its settings the first time it is run.
The scientist initialized the simulation with a set of baseline parameters.