initially

The word "initially" derives from the Latin "initialis," meaning "of the beginning," which comes from "initium" (a beginning). The suffix "-ly" is an Old English adverbial marker, turning the adjective "initial" into an adverb. The morpheme "initial" preserves its core meaning of "first" or "starting point," while "-ly" modifies it to describe how an action occurs (e.g., "done at the start"). This combination reflects a clear progression from Latin through French into English, retaining logical coherence in modern usage.